Patent Abstract:
A headgear mountable camera including a clip to mount the camera to a wearer/user, an image processing module, and wireless communications module. The wireless communications module can facilitate wireless data communications of video and audio to remote clients including smart hones and tablet computers, wherein the head mounted camera is mounted in at least one of: a sweatband, helmet, goggles, hat, and glasses. A camera that may be built into, mounted, and/or attachable/detachable as a camera lens to a variety of different headgear products and can transmit video data to computers, including portable handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets computers.

Full Description:
INVENTION PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/171,131, filed Jun. 4, 2015, entitled “External Smartphone or Tablet Camera,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety for its teaching. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The embodiments are related to wearable electronic devices. More particularly, the embodiments are related to wearable electronic devices in the form of external cameras and cameras adaptable as wearable, and to wired and wireless communication abilities including use of external cameras with handheld portable computing devices, including smartphone, tablets, encoders, and computers. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a camera that may be built into, mounted, and/or attachable/detachable as a camera lens to a variety of different headgear products and can transmits video data to computers, including portable handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets computers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    There is need for additional choice of camera viewing options from people engaged in physical activities. There is a need for hardware that can facilitate capturing and providing of alternate camera views from being involved in physical activities. There is a need to enable use of cameras to capture and provide physical activity in a hands free manner. There is a need to provide camera viewing options from the physical activity that can be used with smartphones/tablets instead of only using the existing camera built into the device. The smartphones/tablets all have built-in cameras (front and rear view camera) and when a person wishes to take video using these devices they must hold the device with their hands. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0004]    There is therefore a need to have external camera lens choices that can be added to the current camera choices view, and that can operate as “hands-free” cameras. 
         [0005]    It is a feature of the embodiment to provide external camera views from small cameras that can be attached to or embedded in headgear worn by users (e.g., athletes, divers, uniformed public servants) during activities, and to provide video from the headgear mounted cameras to computers. 
         [0006]    It is also a feature of the embodiments that video from headgear mounted cameras can be delivered wirelessly to computers over short-range data connections (e.g., Bluetooth) or via wireless data communications networks (e.g.. Wi-Fi) either from a communication device associated with the camera or from smartphones and tablets themselves. 
         [0007]    It is another feature that computer receiving video data from headgear mounted cameras can be provided as a separate hardware item that can be attached to or embedded in headgear of a user and can communicate with computers in the form of handheld computers, including smartphones, tablet computers, and laptops. 
         [0008]    It is also a feature of the embodiments to provide choices of camera views to remote computer users not associated with the camera wearer. 
         [0009]    It is also a feature of the embodiments that the headgear-mounted cameras can be operated as “hands-free” cameras. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    FIG. illustrates a baseball cap with an integrated headgear camera and optional connectivity to a processing unit. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates eyeglasses with an integrated headgear camera, on board communications unit, and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a baseball helmet with an integrated headgear camera, on board communications unit, and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a hockey helmet with an integrated headgear camera, on board communications unit, and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a goggle (ski or diving) with an integrated headgear camera, on board communications unit, and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a service hat (e.g., police officer, etc.) with an integrated headgear camera, on board communications unit, and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a diving helmet with an integrated headgear camera, on board communications unit, and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sweatband with an integrated headgear camera and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a sweatband with an integrated headgear camera, on board wireless communications, processing unit, and optional connectivity to an external processing unit. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a processing unit that can be connected to the headgear camera that is embedded in headgear. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  illustrates a processing unit providing data wirelessly (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) to computing devices (e.g., smartphones, desktop computers, tablet computers, etc.). 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  illustrates scenarios wherein headgear cameras communicate wirelessly to end user devices. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  illustrates scenarios wherein wireless communications for the embodiments can occur over various wireless communications networks worldwide. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  illustrates a camera usable in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  illustrates a diagram with a camera connectible to a portable handheld computer. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate a clip for portable camera attachability and optional connection of the camera to a portable unit that can support power, processing, and wireless communications for the camera when in use. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  illustrates a baseball cap with a portable camera attached thereto and optional wired connectivity to a handheld computer. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  illustrates eyeglasses with a portable camera attached thereto and optional wired connectivity to a handheld computer. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  illustrates features of a portable camera that can be used with a clip and having wireless connectivity to a portable handheld computer. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  illustrates a portable camera clipped to various headgear with optional wireless connectivity to a handheld computer. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  illustrates a baseball cap with an integrated headgear camera incorporated in the bill of the hat and optional wireless connectivity to a handheld computer. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  illustrates a baseball cap with an integrated headgear camera and optional wired connectivity to a handheld computer. 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  illustrates a portable camera directly attached to a portable electronic unit that can support any of: providing power, processing data (e.g., voice and video), and transmitting data to remote computers (e.g., servers, handheld computers). 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  illustrates a portable electronic unit that can support any of: providing power, processing data (e.g., voice and video), and transmitting data to remote computers (e.g., servers, handheld computers). 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  illustrates a power accessory that can be worn in association with headgear that can provide solar power to portable cameras and processing units. 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  illustrates a power accessory connected with headgear to provide solar power to portable cameras and processing units located therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    that can be wired or have a wireless connection using Wi-Fi/Bluetooth to send camera lens data signal to a smartphone/tablet with minimal delay in processing, almost instantaneously to smartphone/tablet/computer/encoder. This will provide a smartphone/tablet user a simple camera alternative to the existing camera built into their device and allow them to be able to send images from this external camera that is connected to the headwear/headgear to their smartphone/tablet. These camera lenses may be built-into many headwear components. When the camera lens is using a wireless signal, it will require a power source that can be built into the headwear or can be an “attachable/detachable” external power supply to power the wireless camera lens 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a baseball cap  401  with an integrated headgear camera  332  with connectivity via wire  412  to other external components, such as a processing unit  450 . Connectivity can be achieved via a USB cable  429 . The processing unit can include an image processing unit  420 , rechargeable battery  414 , USB plug  413 , and a wireless communications module  408  that can support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and/or cellular data network communications. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , illustrated are eyeglasses  501  having lenses  504  with an integrated headgear camera  332 , on board communications unit  701 , and optional connectivity via plug  413  and USB cable  429  to external processing unit  450 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is a baseball helmet  613  with an integrated headgear camera  332 , on board communications unit  701 , and optional connectivity via wire  412  to an external processing unit  450  via cabling  429 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is a hockey helmet  615  with an integrated headgear camera  332 , on board communications unit  701 , and optional connectivity via wire  412  to an external processing unit  450  via cabling  429 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is a goggle (ski or diving)  614  with an integrated headgear camera  332 , on board communications unit  701 , and optional connectivity via wire  412  to an external processing unit  450  via cabling  429 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is a service hat (e.g., police officer, etc.)  616  with an integrated headgear camera  332 , on board communications unit  701 , and optional connectivity via wire  412  to an external processing unit  450  via cabling  429 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , illustrated is a diving helmet  617  with an integrated headgear camera  332 , on board communications unit  701 , and optional connectivity via wire  412  to an external processing unit  450  via cabling  429 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , illustrated is a sweatband  618  with optional connectivity via wire  412  to an external processing unit  450  via cabling  429 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , illustrated is a sweatband  618  with an integrated headgear camera  332 , on board short-range RF communications unit  701 , wireless data network communications unit  408 , processor  438 , and optional connectivity via wire  412  to an external processing unit  450  via cabling  429 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , illustrated is a processing unit  651  that can be connected to the headgear camera that is embedded in headgear. The processing unit can include an image processing unit  420 , rechargeable battery  414 , USB plug  413 , a wireless communications module  408  that can support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and/or cellular data network communications, and audio processor  428 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , illustrated is a processing unit  651  providing data (video and/or audio) obtained from headgear-mounted camera  332  wirelessly (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) to computing devices, e.g., smartphones  461 , desktop computers  421 , tablet computers  463 , other image processing components  464 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , illustrated is scenarios wherein headgear cameras  332  can communicate wirelessly to end user devices via wireless communications modules  701 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , illustrated is scenarios wherein wireless communications supported by wireless communications modules  701  can be sent directly (short range wireless data communications) and over various wireless communications networks to end users, worldwide. 
         [0050]    In the following figures, headgear camera is equivalent to portable camera, but with the exception of actual headgear integration. Referring to  FIG. 14 , illustrated is a portable camera  332  that can include an optional microphone  333  and can be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention to provide video and audio data to a processing unit, remote server, or portable computers (e.g., smartphones). The portable camera can include a lens  301 , a housing  302 , wiring  304 , and a base  303  that can be attached to mounting hardware (not shown). 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , illustrated is a diagram with a portable camera connectible by cabling  429  to a portable handheld computer that can be provided in the form of a smartphone  461  or tablet  463  computer. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , illustrated is a clip  832  that can be used with a portable camera  332  for attachability of the camera to a person&#39;s clothing (e.g., headgear). Also illustrated is optional connection of the camera  332  to a portable electronic unit  450  with a cable  429 , wherein the portable electronic unit  450  can support power, processing, and wireless communications for the camera  332  when in use. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , illustrated is a baseball cap  403  with a portable camera  332  attached thereto by a clip  832  and optional wired connectivity by cable  412  to a handheld computer  461 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 19  illustrates eyeglasses  501  with a portable camera  332  attached by clip  832  thereto and optional wired connectivity by cable  412  to a handheld computer  461 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 20  illustrates features of a portable camera with integrated processing capabilities  850 . Shown in a housing can include a camera  420 , a communication module  408 , rechargeable battery  414 , cabling  412 , and connection port  413 . A clip  832  can be used to attach the camera  850  to a user. The communications module  408  can support communications of the portable camera with integrated processing capabilities  850  to either of a smartphone  461  or tablet computer  463 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 21  illustrates a portable camera with integrated processing capabilities  858  clipped to various headgear  403 / 501 / 618 , with optional wireless connectivity to a handheld computer  461 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 22  illustrates a baseball cap  401  with an integrated headgear camera  332  incorporated in the bill of the hat and optional wireless connectivity via communications module  408  to a handheld computer  461 / 463 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 23  illustrates a baseball cap  401  with an integrated headgear camera  332  and optional wired connectivity via cable  429  to a handheld computer  461 / 463 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 24  illustrates a portable camera  332  directly attached to a portable electronic unit  450  via cabling  429  that can support any of: providing power, processing data (e.g., voice and video), and transmitting data to remote computers (e.g., servers, handheld computers). 
         [0060]      FIG. 25  illustrates a portable electronic unit  450  that can support any of providing power, processing data (e.g., voice and video), and transmitting data to remote computers (e.g., servers, handheld computers). The portable unit can utilize a cable  451  for charging the unit or transferring data. Connector (e.g., plugs)  452  enable data connection via cabling  4291451 . Rechargeable battery  414  provides power. Modules  422 / 420 / 421 / 416  can provide communications (wire/wireless), data processing, and audio/video control, and memory storage. 
         [0061]      FIG. 26  illustrates a power accessory  852  that can be worn in association with headgear that can provide solar power from a panel  851 , or can serve as a battery  414  (flat formed) to portable cameras and processing units via cabling  429 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 27  illustrates a power accessory  852  connected via cabling to headgear  853  shown for exemplary purposes as Google glass having a camera and microphone capability  854  therein to provide solar power to portable cameras and processing units located therein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7