Patent Publication Number: US-2018041680-A1

Title: Flexible transmission line capable of immobilizing camera lens assembly, and camera with flexible transmission line

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 105211806 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Aug. 4, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a transmission line and a camera, more particularly to a flexible transmission line capable of immobilizing a camera lens assembly, and a camera with the flexible transmission line. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For a modern ball panorama camera, a number of camera lens assemblies are arranged in a spherical shape and simultaneously capture images of an ambient scene. Then, these images and overlaps therebetween are edited to produce a panorama image by a computer. Such a ball panorama camera generally cooperates with a mobile device, such as a cell phone, tablet computer, laptop computer or other suitable electronic device. 
     When a ball panorama camera and a mobile device are carried by a user&#39;s hands to capture images, hand shaking may easily cause blurred images or low image quality. However, due to the image capturing characteristics of the ball panorama camera, it is not suitable to dispose the ball panorama camera on a table for photographing. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one or more embodiments, the disclosure provides a flexible transmission line capable of immobilizing a camera lens assembly. The flexible transmission line includes a flexible pipe sleeve, a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is disposed at an end of the flexible pipe sleeve. The second connector is disposed at the other end of the flexible pipe sleeve. The second connector is electrically connected to the first connector and is pluggable to be electrically connected to the camera lens assembly. A portion of either the first connector or the flexible pipe sleeve is used as a supporting point to support the second connector. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the disclosure provides a camera with a flexible transmission line. The camera includes a flexible pipe sleeve, a first connector and a camera lens assembly. The first connector is disposed at an end of the flexible pipe sleeve. The camera lens assembly is disposed at the other end of the flexible pipe sleeve, and the camera lens assembly is electrically connected to the first connector. A portion of either the first connector or the flexible pipe sleeve is used as a supporting point to support the camera lens assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present disclosure and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the use of a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a camera with a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a camera with a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a camera with a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawings. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the use of a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a flexible transmission line  1  includes a flexible pipe sleeve  10 , a first connector  12  and a second connector  14 . The flexible pipe sleeve  10  is not limited to be made of metal, silica gel or other suitable material. Because of the flexibility and strength of the material, the flexible pipe sleeve  10  can be bended to have any shape, such as an L shape, a U shape, a W shape or other suitable shapes while being subjected to an external force. A transmission conductor or one or more other suitable transmission arrangements are disposed to the inner side of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  to electrically connect the first connector  12  and the second connector  14  to each other. 
     The first connector  12  and the second connector  14  are respectively disposed to two opposite ends of the flexible pipe sleeve  10 , so as to be electrically connected to electronic devices disposed at the two ends of the flexible pipe sleeve  10 , respectively. For example, the electronic device is a camera, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer host or other suitable device. The transmission protocol of the first connector  12  and the transmission protocol of the second connector  14  are the micro USB, the USB type A, the USB type B, the USB type C, Lightning or other transmission protocol for the electronic device. In practice, since the first connector  12  is electrically connected to a mobile device  2  (i.e. external electronic device), the first connector  12  is, for example, a USB plug (also known as USB male connecter) to plug in a USB socket (also known as USB female connecter) on the mobile device  2 ; the second connector  14  is electrically connected to a camera lens assembly  3 , so the second connector  14  is, for example, a USB socket to be plugged in by a USB plug on the camera lens assembly  3 ; and however, the disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the first connector  12  and the second connector  14  are pluggable to be electrically connected to the mobile device  2  and the camera lens assembly  3 . 
     To clarify how to use the flexible transmission line  1  in this embodiment, please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in the figures, the first connector  12  at one end of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  is electrically connected to the mobile device  2  and the second connector  14  at the other end of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  is electrically connected to the camera lens assembly  3 , so the mobile device  2  and the camera lens assembly  3  are electrically connected to each other via the flexible transmission line  1 . For example, the camera lens assembly  3  sends captured image data to the mobile device  2  via the flexible transmission line  1  while the mobile device  2  powers the camera lens assembly  3  via the flexible transmission line  1 , so the mobile device  2  can display the real-time or non-real-time images captured by the camera lens assembly  3 . 
     When the flexible transmission line  1  uses the first connector  12  as a supporting point and supports the second connector  14 , one end of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  is disposed on a plane  4  because of the mobile device  2  and the flexible pipe sleeve  10  is directly bended so that the other end of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  extends upward from the mobile device  2  to prop up the camera lens assembly  3 . In other words, all of the flexible pipe sleeve  10 , the camera lens assembly  3 , the first connector  12  and the mobile device  2  do not contact the plane  4  together. The mobile device  2  and the flexible pipe sleeve  10  constitute a supporting stand for setting up the camera lens assembly  3  so that the camera lens assembly  3  can be set up on the plane  4  and capture images in the stability of the plane  4 . Therefore, it may be avoided that the image quality is lowered by hand shaking if the user carries the mobile device  2  and the camera lens assembly  3  by hands to capture images. 
     Another situation of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line is exemplarily explained by referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in the figures, in addition to using the first connector  12  as a supporting point, the flexible transmission line  1  further uses a part of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  as a supporting point to support the second connector  14 . For example, when the flexible pipe sleeve  10  is blended to have a L-shape, the bended portion of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  may contact and press against the plane  4 . That is, one end of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  is disposed on the plane  4  because of the mobile device  2 , and the other end of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  extends upward from the bended portion of the flexible pipe sleeve  10  in order to prop up the camera lens assembly  3 . The flexible pipe sleeve  10  can be bended or form a ring shape or a multi-ring shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The mobile device  2  and the flexible pipe sleeve  10  constitute a supporting stand to set up the camera lens assembly  3  so that the camera lens assembly  3  can be propped up on the plane  4  to stably capture images. Therefore, it may be avoided that the image quality is lowered by hand shaking if the user carries the mobile device  2  and the camera lens assembly  3  by hands to capture images. 
     As described above, the camera lens assembly  3  is a cam with a camera lens in an embodiment. Optionally, the camera lens assembly  3  is a cam with two camera lenses in another embodiment, and the two camera lenses are disposed oppositely so that the camera lens assembly  3  can capture images of front and back scenes via the two camera lenses. For example, the camera lens is a fisheye lens. The disclosure does not intend to limit the design of the camera lens assembly  3 , and all those having ordinary skill in the art can design the camera lens assembly  3  according to practical requirements. 
     Next, please refer to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in the figures, in addition to a flexible pipe sleeve  50 , a first connector  52  and a second connector  54 , a flexible transmission line  5  further includes a supporter  56  that is detachable and allows the flexible pipe sleeve  50  to be disposed through it. The supporter  56  has a supporting surface  561  and a bearing surface  562  opposite to the supporting surface  561 . The bearing surface  562  is bent inwards to the supporting surface  561  and slidably contacts the flexible pipe sleeve  50 . The supporting surface  561  is able to support the flexible pipe sleeve  50  on the plane  6  when the flexible transmission line  5  uses a part of the flexible pipe sleeve  50  as a supporting point, and thus, the end of the flexible pipe sleeve  50  for immobilizing a camera lens assembly  7  extends upward to prop up the camera lens assembly  7  after the flexible pipe sleeve  50  is blended. In another embodiment, the supporter  56  is selectively moved on the flexible pipe sleeve  50  to prop up the camera lens assembly  7  in cooperation with a part of the flexible pipe sleeve  50 , so as to enhance the supporting effect of the flexible pipe sleeve  50 . 
     In an embodiment, the external surface of the flexible pipe sleeve  50  has a first positioning structure  501 , and the supporter  56  has a second positioning structure  563  corresponding to the first positioning structure  501 . The second positioning structure  563  of the supporter  56  is fastened to the first positioning structure  501  of the flexible pipe sleeve  50  so that the supporter  56  is positioned on the external surface of the flexible pipe sleeve  50 . In practice, the first positioning structure  501  is, for example, a bulge ring while the bearing surface  562  has a groove, so the supporter  56  is positioned at the external surface of the flexible pipe sleeve  50  via the bulge ring disposed in the groove. 
     Another embodiment of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line is exemplarily explained with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a supporter  56 ′ includes a base section  564  and an upright section  565 . The base section  564  and the upright section  565  have an angle therebetween, and the base section  564  and the upright section  565  have a concave for accommodating the flexible pipe sleeve  50 . Therefore, the supporter  56 ′ is detachable and allows the flexible pipe sleeve  50  to be disposed through it. In practice, the flexible pipe sleeve  50  is bended by the angle between the base section  564  and the upright section  565  so that a part of the flexible pipe sleeve  50  at the upright section  565  may more strongly prop up the camera lens assembly  7 . 
     Another embodiment of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line is exemplarily explained with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic view of immobilizing a camera lens assembly and a mobile device via a flexible transmission line according to another embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first connector  52  and the second connector  54  are directly connected to the outside of the flexible pipe sleeve  50 , and covers  58  are further disposed and cover between the flexible pipe sleeve  50  and the first connector  52  and between the flexible pipe sleeve  50  and the second connector  54 , respectively, so as to enhance the connection strength between the first connector  52  and the flexible pipe sleeve  50  and the connection strength between the second connector  54  and the flexible pipe sleeve  50 . 
     As described above, the camera lens assembly  7  is a cam with a camera lens in an embodiment. Optionally, the camera lens assembly  7  is a cam with two camera lenses in another embodiment, and the two camera lenses are disposed oppositely so that the camera lens assembly  7  can capture images of front and back scenes via the two camera lenses. For example, the camera lens is a fisheye lens. The disclosure does not intend to limit the design of the camera lens assembly  7 , and all those having ordinary skill in the art can design the camera lens assembly  7  according to practical requirements. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a camera with a flexible transmission line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a camera  8  includes a flexible pipe sleeve  80  (referred to as flexible transmission line), a first connector  82  and a camera lens assembly  84 . The first connector  82  and the camera lens assembly  84  are disposed to two opposite ends of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  and are electrically connected to each other via the transmission conductor on the inner side of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  or via other suitable transmission arrangements so that the camera lens assembly  84  is electrically connected to a mobile device  9 , such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or other suitable device. 
     The transmission protocol of the first connector  82  is the micro USB, the USB type A, the USB type B, the USB type C or Lightning or is other transmission protocol adapted to connecting an electronic device, and this embodiment is not limited thereto. In practice, since the first connector  82  is used to electrically connect to the mobile device  9 , the first connector  82  is, for example, a USB plug to plug in a USB socket on the mobile device  9 . 
     When the camera  8  uses the first connector  82  as a supporting point to prop up the camera lens assembly  84 , one end of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  is disposed on a plane via the mobile device  9  and the flexible pipe sleeve  80  is directly bended so that the other end of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  extends upward from the mobile device  9  to prop up the camera lens assembly  84 . In other words, all of the flexible pipe sleeve  80 , the camera lens assembly  84 , the first connector  82  and the mobile device  9  do not contact the same plane together. The mobile device  9  and the flexible pipe sleeve  80  constitute a supporting stand to set up the camera lens assembly  84  so that the camera lens assembly  84  can be lifted up on a plane to capture images in the stability of the plane. Therefore, it may be avoided that the image quality is lowered by hand shaking if the user carries the mobile device  9  and the camera lens assembly  84  by hands to capture images. 
     In another usage situation, in addition to using the first connector  82  as a supporting point, the camera  8  further uses a part of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  as a supporting point. For example, when the flexible pipe sleeve  80  is bended to have a L shape, the bended portion of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  contacts and presses against a plane, one end of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  is disposed on the plane via the mobile device  9 , and the other end of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  extends upward from the bended portion of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  to lift up the camera lens assembly  84 . The bended portion of the flexible pipe sleeve  80  is not limited to have a ring shape or multi-ring shape. In fact, the camera with a flexible transmission line described in this embodiment has been explained in the aforementioned embodiments and thus, will not be explained again herein. 
     As described above, the camera lens assembly  84  is a cam with a camera lens in an embodiment. Optionally, the camera lens assembly  84  is a cam with two camera lenses in another embodiment, and the two camera lenses are disposed oppositely so that the camera lens assembly  84  can capture images of front and back scenes via the two camera lenses. For example, the camera lens is a fisheye lens. The disclosure does not intend to limit the design of the camera lens assembly  84 , and all those having ordinary skill in the art can design the camera lens assembly  84  according to practical requirements. 
     This embodiment does not tend to limit the diameter of the flexible pipe sleeve and the weight of the camera. However, in an embodiment, the camera lens assembly is put in the accommodating space of a casing, and the maximum dimension of the casing except the connector sticking out of the casing is not larger than 5 cm. Because of the flexibility and material strength of the flexible pipe sleeve, the flexible pipe sleeve whose diameter is shorter than 5 mm is sufficient to lift up the camera whose weight ranges between 15 and 50 g and preferably ranges between 20 and 25 g. 
     In addition, a fill light means may be required sometimes when the user uses a flexible transmission line cooperating with a pluggable camera, e.g. the flexible transmission line  1  cooperating with the camera lens assembly  3  or the flexible transmission line  5  cooperating with the camera lens assembly  7  in the previous embodiments, or directly uses a camera with a flexible transmission line, e.g. the camera  8  in the previous embodiment, to capture images or record a video. To this end, the disclosure further provides a flexible transmission line with one or more fill light components. For example, the fill light component is a light emitting diode (LED) component including one or more LEDs and a related circuit. Optionally, other types of fill light components may be contemplated in this or some embodiments. The deposition of the one or more fill light component is described in detail below. 
     For convenience, the flexible transmission line  1  and the camera  8  in the previous embodiments are taken for the following exemplary description; and however, the disclosure will not be limited to them. 
     In the case of the flexible transmission line  1  in the previous embodiments, one or more fill light components  16  are further disposed to the flexible transmission line  1 . The fill light component  16  is electrically connected to the first connector  12  so that the fill light component  16  is electrically connected to the mobile device  2  as the first connector  12  is connected to the mobile device  2 . Therefore, the mobile device  2  can control the operation and turned-on/off of the fill light component  16 . 
     In an embodiment, the position of the fill light component  16  on the flexible transmission line  1  corresponds to the capturing direction of the camera lens assembly  3 . Specifically, in an embodiment, the fill light component  16  is located at an end of the flexible transmission line  1  close to the camera lens assembly  3 . For example, the fill light component  16  is disposed on the second connector  14 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Although the position of the fill light component  16  on the flexible transmission line  1  in  FIG. 8  is on the second connector  14  and the number of fill light components  16  in  FIG. 8  is one, the disclosure is not limited to this implementation and the position of the fill light component on the flexible transmission line and the number of fill light components can be designed according to practical requirements. 
     For example, if the camera lens assembly  3  is a cam with two camera lenses disposed oppositely, the camera lens assembly  3  is disposed with, for example, two fill light components  16  and the two fill light components  16  are, for example, disposed oppositely at an end of the flexible transmission line  1  close to the camera lens assembly  3  and respectively correspond to the two camera lenses. Therefore, when both of the cameras of the camera lens assembly  3  are enabled to capture the foreground image and the background image, the fill light components  16  corresponding to the two cameras are capable of filling light for the foreground and/or the background. 
     In the case of the camera  8  in the previous embodiment, one or more fill light components  86  are further disposed to the camera  8 . The fill light component  86  is electrically connected to the first connector  82  so that the fill light component  86  is electrically connected to the mobile device  9  as the first connector  82  is connected to the mobile device  9 . Therefore, the mobile device  9  can control the operation and turned-on/off of the fill light component  86 . 
     In an embodiment, the position of the fill light component  86  on the camera  8  corresponds to the capturing direction of the camera lens assembly  84 . Specifically, in an embodiment, the fill light component  86  is disposed on the top of the camera lens assembly  84 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Although the position of the fill light component  16  on the flexible transmission line  1  in  FIG. 8  is on the second connector  14  and the number of fill light components  16  in  FIG. 8  is one, the disclosure is not limited to this implementation and the position of the fill light component on the flexible transmission line and the number of fill light components can be designed according to practical requirements. For example, the fill light component  86  is disposed around the camera lens of the camera lens assembly  84 , or is disposed on the bottom of the camera lens assembly  84 , or is disposed on the left or right side of the camera lens assembly  84 . 
     In practice, if the camera lens assembly  84  is a cam with two camera lenses disposed oppositely, the camera lens assembly  84  is disposed with, for example, two fill light components  86 , and the two fill light components  86  are, for example, disposed oppositely on the top of the camera lens assembly  84  and respectively correspond to the two camera lenses. Therefore, the fill light components  86  can provide supplementary light in photography or filming when enabled. 
     Furthermore, a light sensor may also be disposed to the aforementioned flexible transmission line or the aforementioned camera. The light sensor is able to sense ambient light around the camera lens assembly that is connected to the flexible transmission line. In an embodiment, the light sensor is electrically connected to the first connector so that the light sensor is electrically connected to a mobile device when the first connector is connected to the mobile device; and thereby, the mobile device can turn on/off the aforementioned fill light component or adjust the light intensity of the aforementioned fill light component according to the sensed ambient light. In another embodiment, the light sensor is further electrically connected to the aforementioned fill light component so that the aforementioned fill light component is automatically turned on/off in response to the sensing result of the light sensor or the light intensity of the aforementioned fill light component is automatically adjusted in response to the sensing result of the light sensor. 
     The position of the light sensor can be designed according to practical requirements. In an embodiment, the position of the light sensor on the aforementioned flexible transmission line or the aforementioned camera corresponds to the capturing direction of the camera lens assembly. In an embodiment, the light sensor is disposed on the aforementioned flexible transmission line. For instances, the light sensor is disposed at an end of the flexible transmission line close to or far from the camera lens assembly. In another embodiment, the light sensor is disposed on the aforementioned camera lens assembly. For example, the light sensor is disposed at a suitable position on the aforementioned camera lens assembly, such as the top, left side or right side of the aforementioned camera lens assembly, etc. The deposition of the light sensor is exemplarily described in detail below. 
     In the case of the flexible transmission line  1 , a light sensor  18  is further disposed. In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the light sensor  18  is disposed on the second connector  14 , and the light sensor  18  and the fill light component  16  are disposed on the same side of the second connector  14 . In other embodiments, the light sensor  18  is disposed at other position on the flexible transmission line  1  according to practical requirements. In an example, the light sensor  18  is disposed on the first connector  12 . In another example, the light sensor  18  and the fill light component  16  are disposed on different sides of the second connector  14 . 
     In the case of the camera  8 , a light sensor  88  is further disposed. In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the light sensor  88  is disposed on the top of the camera lens assembly  84 . In other embodiments, the light sensor  88  is disposed at other position of the camera  8  according to practical requirements. In an example, the light sensor  88  is disposed on the first connector  82 . In another example, the light sensor  88  is disposed on the left or right side of the camera lens assembly  84 . 
     Although only one light sensor is disposed in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , more than one light sensor may be disposed according to practical requirements. The disclosure does not intend to limit the number of light sensors. Further, either of the fill light component and the light sensor described in  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 9  may be used in other embodiments of the disclosure. 
     As set forth above, embodiments of the disclosure provide a flexible transmission line capable of immobilizing a camera lens assembly, and a camera with the flexible transmission line. The camera lens assembly is electrically connected to an image display device through a first connector. When the first connector is electrically connected to the image display device, the image display device and the flexible pipe sleeve can serve as a supporting stand to prop up and lift up the camera lens assembly on a plane so that the camera can be stabilized and immobilized via the image display device and the flexible pipe sleeve and is able to stay at a certain height for photographing. Therefore, it may be avoided that the image quality is lowered by hand shaking if the camera is carried by hands to capture images.