Abstract:
A remote control device, which includes conventional remote system and wireless remote system, to control a handheld video camera without directional limitation. Generic handheld video camera controller are using IR signals which require the signal source to be pointing at the video camera IR receiver inlet lens in order for the system to facilitate the remote control functions. This device provides users a remote controlling means to control the video camera from a distance away with a physical wall or blockage in between. This device turns most of the available handheld video cameras into quality surveillance video cameras. This device makes surveillance video system much more affordable. Since this device is a universal device, it works with most generic video cameras of different brands; users can choose their favorite brand to be their surveillance camera. This device is covered with a rain shield and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to portable video camera control equipment, and more particularly to remote control of personal handheld video camera accessory.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Personal handheld video camera has been very popular for many years. Today, there is a lot of different brand name manufacturers and at very low prices. However, these video cameras are not being used as general surveillance video camera yet. The reason is that all handheld video cameras are using IR (infrared) to transmit signals between the controller and the camera unit. IR (infrared) is a directional dependent function. The light source has to be pointing at the receiving function components of the camera unit in order for the camera to be able to detect the IR signals. The cost of surveillance video cameras will go down substantially if generic handheld video cameras can be controlled remotely independent from the sole directional IR function controller.  
           [0003]    Thus there is a need for a remote device to be able to control a generic video camera independently from the sole IR control function system.  
           [0004]    Further, there is a need for a universal system such that the unit can work with different video cameras. In addition, this device has to be low cost, portable, easy to operate, light weight and rugged.  
           [0005]    The present invention provides such a video camera remote controlling system.  
         CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0006]    [0006]                                         Field of Search                                Intern&#39;l Class:   G02B 17/00; H04B Q1/00; H04B007/24; H04L 7/24       US Class   367/117; 335/002, 004, 185; 359/109, 142, 152, 154,           180, 189; 388/825                    
         U.S. Patent Documents  
         [0007]    [0007]                                                               4655567   Apr. 7, 1987   Morley   352/243                        
           [0008]    This patent is of old technology. Wireless remote controlling electronics are expensive at that time and not readily available; and the invention has nothing to do with the wireless technology.  
                                                               5073824   Jun. 15, 1990   Vertin   348/211                      
 
           [0009]    This invention is a very costly remote control and camera combination. It is not a stand-alone portable camera mounting device for generic video camera.  
                                                               5111288   Oct. 8, 1991   Blackshear   348/143                      
 
           [0010]    This invention is not wirelessly remote control.  
                                                               5179421   Jan. 12, 1993   Parker   356/139                      
 
           [0011]    This invention is using infrared (IR) as a measuring means for position calculation.  
                                                               5181120   Jan. 19, 1993   Hickey   348/373                      
 
           [0012]    This invention is not wirelessly remote control.  
                                                               5436542   Jul. 25, 1995   Petelin   318/567                      
 
           [0013]    This invention is for telescopic cameras for surgery.  
                                                               5568205   Oct. 22, 1996   Hurwitz   348/732                      
 
           [0014]    This is an invention on wireless audio/video transmitter system,  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    A remote control system for controlling generic handheld IR remote controller of handheld video cameras and the switches on the body of the video cameras. This remote control system has both conventional remote control device and wireless remote control device. It includes a main system with a remote device controller, a wireless remote device controller and a rain shield to protect the main system and the video camera. The remote device controller includes electronic components receives input signals from user, and transmits the signals to the PCBA of the main unit via the harness cable. The main unit of the main system is equipped with PCBA, of which a portion of the electronic components and the firmware program will then generate electrical functions to drive the designated mechanism.  
           [0016]    The wireless remote device controller includes electronic components and program, which receives input signals from user, generates radio frequency signal functions and transmits the signal functions to the main system wirelessly.  
           [0017]    The main unit includes mechanical hardware to provide actuating functions to actuate the generic handheld video camera controller and the different switches on the camera body.  
           [0018]    A portion of the PCBA of the main unit includes electronic components and firmware program, which detects and receives signal functions from the wireless remote device controller wirelessly; and then provides electrical driving functions to control the mechanical hardware to carryout the actuating functions of the main system.  
           [0019]    A light tunnel, which provides a path for the IR signal generated by the remote controller, to the IR receiver of the video camera.  
           [0020]    A transparent shield covers the main system and the video camera, and protects them from rain and minimizes the dust contamination to the optical lens.  
           [0021]    Mounting holes are provided at the bottom of the base plate subassembly for operational installation.  
           [0022]    This device supports generic handheld video camera. In practice it gives the best results especially with the ones with remote controller, which can control most of the critical functions of the video camera. This device converts a low cost personal handheld video camera into a reasonably sophisticated surveillance video camera with color picture, high resolution, high zoom quality, stereo audio and digital video output.  
           [0023]    Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is the front plan view of the remote-control system for generic handheld video camera, which includes a wireless remote device controller, a main system which consists of a main unit; a remote controller connected to the main unit by a harness cable; a slider switch actuating system, which is connected to the main unit by a harness cable; a push button switch actuating system, which is connected to the main unit by a harness cable; and a base plate assembly supporting all the components and the generic video camera. In addition, an adjustable IR (infrared) signal transmission tunnel, which provides direct optical path from the main unit to the IR receiver inlet lens of the video camera. 
     
    
       [0025]    The adjustable IR tunnel consists of a first tunnel section, a rotary union and an adjustable length tunnel. The whole system is covered by a transparent shield, according to present invention.  
         [0026]    In addition, a generic handheld video camera is mounted to the device to demonstrate the relative usage of the device.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is the section view along  1 - 1  of the main unit of the main system assembly depicting a portion of the main PCBA, a portion of the mounting block with actuating solenoid subassemblies mounted to it, a portion of the video camera handheld controller, a portion of the bottom housing, a portion of the IR light tunnel with the light source and light vectors according to the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is the cross section view of the main system taken along the line  2 - 2  of FIG. 2. It depicts a portion of the bottom housing, a portion of the top cover, a portion of the generic video camera handheld controller with the IR light source, a portion of the mounting block, a portion of the PCBA, a portion of the actuating solenoid subassemblies with wire hardness connected to the PCBA and a portion of the bottom cover according to the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is the top plan view of a generic video camera handheld controller. It depicts the push button switches for controlling different functions of the video camera and the IR light source of the controller.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is the section view of FIG. 1 taken along  3 - 3  showing the IR light passage inside the light tunnel. It depicts a portion of the video camera handheld controller with the light source, a portion of the first section light tunnel with a 90 degree reflection mirror, a portion of the rotary union of the light tunnel with a 90 degree reflection mirror, a portion of the adjustable length section of the light tunnel with a 90 degree reflection mirror, a portion of the cover lens at the end of the light tunnel and the IR inlet lens of the video camera according to present invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 is the front view of the overall system of the remote-control system for generic handheld video camera, which includes a wireless remote device controller  4 , a main unit  2 , which is connected to a remote controller  3  by the harness cable  5 , a push-button switch actuator subassembly  21 , a slider switch actuator subassembly  35 , a base subassembly  15  and a shield  34 , according to the present invention. As seen in the figure, a generic handheld video camera  1  is mounted inside the device to demonstrate the relative function of the device.  
         [0032]    The generic video camera  1  is mounted to the base assembly  15  by the screw  24  into the generic threaded hole at the bottom of the video camera  1 . Push-button switch  18  is part of video camera  1  for user to control certain function of the video camera  1 . Slider switch  43  is part of video camera  1  for user to control certain function of the video camera  1 . Switch handle  41  is protruded part of the slider switch  43  for user to control the switch  43  with fingertips to set the switch to up position or down position.  
         [0033]    The push-button switch actuator subassembly  21  consists of a spring return solenoid  20 , which is connected to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  by the harness cable  14 , is mounted to the arm  115 . Arm  115  is attached to a rotary joint  22 , which is joined to second rotary joint  117  by the middle arm  23 . The second rotary joint  117  is attached to the mounting arm  25 , which is assembled to the vertical mounting base  26  by at least one fastener  27  through the slot opening  28  of the mounting arm  25 . The rotary joint  22  allows the angle between the arm  115  and the middle arm  23  to be adjustable and then fixed after it is set to the desirable angle. The rotary joint  117  allows the angle between the middle arm  117  and the mounting arm  25  to be adjustable and then fixed after it is set to the desirable angle. The combination of the slot opening  28 , the rotary joint  22  and the rotary joint  117  provides an adjustable mechanical linkage to compensate any difference in the location of the push button switch  18  between different generic video cameras. It allows the solenoid  20  to be setup that it is always perpendicular to the switch  18 ; and the plunger  19  will actuate the switch  18  precisely whenever the solenoid  20  is energized.  
         [0034]    The slider switch actuator subassembly  35  consists of a linear motion arm  37 , which has a guide hole  31  and an internal threaded hole  33 . The guide shaft  38 , which OD is slightly smaller than the ID of the guide hole  31 , is supported by the arm  116 . The guide hole  31  of the linear motion arm  37  goes over the guide shaft  38  and travel linearly relative to the guide shaft  38 .  
         [0035]    The internal threaded hole  33  mates over the threaded shaft portion  45  of the electrical motor  36 , which can be a AC motor, DC motor, servo motor or stepper motor. As the electrical motor  36  rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, the threaded shaft  45  functions as a lead screw and drives the linear motion arm  37  linearly forward and backward along the guide shaft  38 . The electrical motor  36  is supported by the arm  116  by at least one fastener  69 , which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms to facilitate the assembly. This electrical motor  36  is connected to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  by the harness cable  13 .  
         [0036]    The upper limit switch  39  is mounted to the arm  35  by at least one fastener  32 , which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms to facilitate the assembly. As the linear motion arm  37  travels upward, it will actuate the upper limit switch  39 , which is electrically connected to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2 . The PCBA  76  is programmed to stop the electrical motor  36  to drive the linear motion arm  37  to go upward any further as it senses the actuated signal from the upper limit switch  39 .  
         [0037]    The lower limit switch  46  is mounted to the arm  35  by at least one fastener  32 , which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms to facilitate the assembly. As the linear motion arm  37  travels downward, it will actuate the lower limit switch  46 , which is electrically connected to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2 . The PCBA  76  is programmed to stop the electrical motor  36  to drive the linear motion arm  37  to go downward any further as it senses the actuated signal from the lower limit switch  46 .  
         [0038]    The switch actuator hand  40 , which is attached to the linear motion arm  37 , is made of elastic material such as rubber and silicon rubber. The upper finger  42 , which is protruded from the switch actuator hand  40 , is extended to surround the top of the switch handle  41  of the slider switch  43  of the video camera  1 . As the electrical motor  36  drives the linear motion arm  37  downward, the upper finger  42  will push the switch handle  41  downward until the slider switch  43  is set at down position. The lower finger  44 , which is protruded from the switch actuator hand  40 , is extended to surround the bottom of the switch handle  41  of the slider switch  43  of the video camera  1 . As the electrical motor  36  drives the linear motion arm  37  upward, the lower finger  44  will push the switch handle  41  upward until the slider switch  43  is set at up position. The elastic material properties of the actuator hand  40 , upper finger  42  and lower finger  44  simulate human fingertips to minimize slippage during operation and prevent the switch handle to be damaged.  
         [0039]    Arm  37  is attached to a rotary joint  119 , which is joined to second rotary joint  118  by the middle arm  120 . The second rotary joint  118  is attached to the mounting arm  121 , which is assembled to the vertical mounting base  26  by at least one fastener  27  through the slot opening  122  of the mounting arm  121 . The rotary joint  119  allows the angle between the arm  37  and the middle arm  120  to be adjustable and then fixed after it is set to the desirable angle. The rotary joint  118  allows the angle between the middle arm  120  and the mounting arm  121  to be adjustable and then fixed after it is set to the desirable angle. The combination of the slot opening  122 , the rotary joint  119  and the rotary joint  118  provides an adjustable mechanical linkage to compensate most of the difference in the location of the slider switch  43  between different generic video cameras. It allows the linear motion arm  37  to be setup that it is always perpendicular to the slider switch  43 ; and both the upper finger  42  and lower finger  44  are aligned to the switch handle  41 .  
         [0040]    The main unit  2  is mounted to the base assembly  15  by at least one fastener  30 , which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms to facilitate the assembly. Further details are shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. The starting section of IR transmission tunnel  9 , which covers the IR source  79 , is attached to the main unit  2 . The cutout  8  of the tunnel  9  exposes the relative position of the IR source  79  in the system. The other end of the IR transmission tunnel  9  is attached to one end of the IR transmission rotary union  11 . The other end of the IR transmission rotary union  11  is attached to the inlet end of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12 . The outlet end of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  is aligned to cover the IR receiver inlet lens  17  of the video camera  1 . The cutout  16  of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  exposes the relative position of the IR receiver inlet lens  17  in the system. All the internal walls of the IR transmission tunnel  9 , the IR transmission rotary union  11  and the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  are made with reflective surfaces and 90 degree reflection mirror to form a light transmission tunnel for the IR to travel from the IR source  79  of the main unit  2  to the IR receiver inlet lens  17  of the video camera  1 . There will be more explanation in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. The IR transmission rotary union  11  allows the angle between the IR transmission tunnel  9  and the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  to be adjustable and then fixed after it is set to the desirable angle. The combination of the adjustable angle of the IR transmission rotary union  11  and the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  provides an adjustable mechanical linkage to compensate most of the difference in the location of the IR receiver inlet lens  17  between different generic video cameras. It allows the outlet end of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  to be setup that it always ends with covering the IR receiver inlet lens  17 .  
         [0041]    The remote controller  3  is connected to the main unit  2  via the harness cable  5 . All the switches  57 ,  58 ,  59 ,  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  are electrically connected to the PCBA  76  of the main unit through the harness cable  5 . All these switches correlated to different functions of the video camera  1 . As any one of these switches is activated, electrical signals will be sent to the PCBA  76 , which in turn will send the correlated signals to the video camera  1  either by the IR source  79 , push-button actuator subassembly  21  or by the slider switch actuator subassembly  35 . There are more detail explanation in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.  
         [0042]    The wireless remote controller  4  includes switches  48 ,  49 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  109 ,  110 ,  111  and  135 , which are connected to PCBA  7 . PCBA  7 , which consists of electronic components, programmable components and programs, will detect input signals from the above switches; then generates corresponding radio frequency signals  68  and emits the radio frequency signals  68  out by the antenna  47 . This wireless remote controller  4  can be battery powered, DC powered or AC powered. The PCBA  76  of the main unit  2 , which also has electronic components, programmable components and programs for detecting radio frequency signals will detect the radio frequency signals  68  via the antenna  67 ; then generates corresponding electrical functions to send the correlated signals to the video camera  1  either by the IR source  79 , push-button actuator subassembly  21  or by the slider switch actuator subassembly  35 . There are more detail explanation in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.  
         [0043]    In practice, the switches of the remote controller  3  and wireless remote controller  4  for controlling the push-button switch actuator subassembly  21  and the slider switch actuator subassembly  35  are pre-defined and correlated together as follow:  
         [0044]    The switch  112  and switch  109  are used to control the push-button switch actuator subassembly  21 . The switch  113  and switch  110  are used to control the upward motion of the slider switch actuator subassembly  35  and the switch  114  and switch  111  are used to control the downward motion of the slider switch actuator subassembly  35 . In the Figure only one set of push-button switch actuator subassembly  21  and one set of slider switch actuator subassembly  35  are shown. However, in practice, it is user&#39;s choice to determine the quantity of sets of these switches, push-button switch actuator subassembly  21  and slider switch actuator subassembly  35  to be used to facilitate full control of the video camera  1 .  
         [0045]    In operation, an electrical signal is sent to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  through the harness cable  5  when switch  112  of the remote controller  3  receives the input from the user. The PCBA  76  will convert the signal to an electrical function to activate the solenoid  20  of the push-button switch actuator subassembly  21 . The plunger  19  of the solenoid  20  will extend out and push against and activate the push-button switch  18  of the video camera  1 . Then, the video camera  1  will eventually carry out the function as per the switch  18  of the video camera  1  should suppose to perform. This design allows the switch  112  of the remote controller  3  to control the push-button switch  18  of the video camera  1  from a distance away and it is not directional dependence.  
         [0046]    As for wireless remote operation, a radio frequency signal  68  is generated by the wireless remote controller  4  when switch  109  is activated by the user. This radio frequency signal  68  is then emitted out through the antenna  47 . The PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  will detect and receive this radio frequency signal  68  via the antenna  67  and generate corresponding electrical functions to activate the solenoid  20  of the push-button switch actuator subassembly  21 . The plunger  19  of the solenoid  20  will extend out and push against and activate the switch  18  of the video camera  1 . The video camera  1  will eventually carry out the function as per the switch  18  of the video camera  1  should suppose to perform. This design allows the switch  109  of the wireless remote controller  4  to control the push-button switch  18  of the video camera  1  from a distance away and it is not directional dependence.  
         [0047]    An electrical signal is sent to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  through the harness cable  5  when switch  113  of the remote controller  3  receives the input from the user. The PCBA  76  will convert the signal to an electrical function to rotate the electrical motor  36  of the slider switch actuator subassembly  35  such that the linear motion arm will move upward. As a result the lower finger  44  will move upward and push the slider switch handle  41  of the slider switch  43  to the up position. Then, the video camera  1  will eventually carry out the function as per the up position of the switch  43  of the video camera  1  should suppose to perform. Another electrical signal is sent to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  through the harness cable  5  when switch  114  of the remote controller  3  receives the input from the user. The PCBA  76  will convert the signal to an electrical function to rotate the electrical motor  36  of the slider switch actuator subassembly  35  such that the linear motion arm will move downward. As a result the upper finger  42  will move downward and push the slider switch handle  41  of the slider switch  43  to the down position. Then, the video camera  1  will eventually carry out the function as per the down position of the switch  43  of the video camera  1  should suppose to perform. This design allows the switch  113  and switch  114  of the remote controller  3  to control the slider switch  43  of the video camera  1  from a distance away and it is not directional dependence.  
         [0048]    As for wireless remote operation, a radio frequency signal  68  is generated by the wireless remote controller  4  when switch  110  is activated by the user. This radio frequency signal  68  is then emitted out through the antenna  47 . The PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  will detect and receive this radio frequency signal  68  via the antenna  67  and generate corresponding electrical functions to rotate the electrical motor  36  of the slider switch actuator subassembly  35  such that the linear motion arm will move upward. As a result the lower finger  44  will move upward and push the slider switch handle  41  of the slider switch  43  to the up position. Then, the video camera  1  will eventually carry out the function as per the up position of the switch  43  of the video camera  1  should suppose to perform. Another radio frequency signal  68  is generated by the wireless remote controller  4  when switch  111  is activated by the user. This radio frequency signal  68  is then emitted out through the antenna  47 . The PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  will detect and receive this radio frequency signal  68  via the antenna  67  and generate corresponding electrical functions to rotate the electrical motor  36  of the slider switch actuator subassembly  35  such that the linear motion arm will move downward. As a result the upper finger  42  will move downward and push the slider switch handle  41  of the slider switch  43  to the down position. Then, the video camera  1  will eventually carry out the function as per the down position of the switch  43  of the video camera  1  should suppose to perform. This design allows the switch  110  and switch  111  of the wireless remote controller  4  to control the slider switch  43  of the video camera  1  from a distance away and it is not directional dependence.  
         [0049]    The video and audio signal cable  6  is direct output signal from the video camera  1 . The video camera receives power input from its own manufacturer-suggested method, which may be DC, AC or battery powered. The power supply cable  10  provides electrical power to the main unit. The main unit can have AC or DC power input.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 2 is the cross section view of FIG. 1 taken along  1 - 1 . It illustrates the principal components and alignment inside the main unit  2 . The main unit  2  includes the base housing  77 , which can be made of metal or plastic provides the mounting base and framework for the main unit  2 . The handheld video camera controller  74  is installed to the base housing  77 . The mounting block  75  is supported by the base housing  77  and the PCBA  76  is supported by the mounting block  75 . Further details are illustrated in FIG. 3.  
         [0051]    The solenoid-bracket subassembly  125 , which includes a spring return solenoid  72  is attached to the slotted bracket  71 , which is fastened to the mounting block  75  through the slot opening  73 . The plunger  85  (illustrated in FIG. 3) is aligned to the switch  90  of the handheld video camera controller  74 . There are ten identical solenoid and bracket subassembly subassemblies namely  125 ,  126 ,  127 ,  128 ,  129 ,  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133  and  134  shown in the FIG. 2 and the actual quantity depends on the user requirement.  
         [0052]    One set of the above solenoid-bracket subassembly is used to set on top of each push-button switch of the handheld video camera controller  74 . The combination of the slotted bracket  71  and the slot opening  73  provides adequate assembly freedom for a good number of sets of said solenoid-bracket subassembly  125  to be able to pack together and align to cover all the push-button switches of the handheld video camera controller  74 .  
         [0053]    The switches of the remote controller  3  are correlated to the switches of the wireless controller  4  and they are all correlated to the solenoid-bracket subassemblies as in the following tables  
         [0054]    Switch  59  correlated to Switch  49  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  125 .  
         [0055]    Switch  60  correlated to Switch  50  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  127 .  
         [0056]    Switch  62  correlated to Switch  51  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  128 .  
         [0057]    Switch  57  correlated to Switch  48  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  134 .  
         [0058]    Switch  66  correlated to Switch  56  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  133 .  
         [0059]    Switch  58  correlated to Switch  135  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  126 .  
         [0060]    Switch  63  correlated to Switch  55  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  132 .  
         [0061]    Switch  64  correlated to Switch  54  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  131 .  
         [0062]    Switch  61  correlated to Switch  52  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  129 .  
         [0063]    Switch  65  correlated to Switch  53  and Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  130 .  
         [0064]    The present invention functions with both controllers together, the remote controller  3  and the wireless remote controller  4 , or either one of the controllers alone.  
         [0065]    The IR source  79  of the handheld video camera controller  74  is aligned to the inlet of the IR transmission tunnel  9 , which has reflective surfaces  78  along the side of the internal walls and 90 degree reflection mirrors  81  to direct the light vectors  80  wherever a 90 degree turns of the light vectors  80  is required. The reflective surfaces  78  minimize the mount of quality lost of the light vectors  80  during the transmission processes.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 3 is the cross section view of FIG. 2 taken along  2 - 2 . It illustrates the actuating function of the solenoid-bracket subassembly  125  working on the push-button switch  90  of the handheld video camera controller  74 . The solenoid  72 , which is connected to the PCBA  76  by the conductor wire  84  is a spring return solenoid. The plunger  85  is retracted inside the solenoid  72  when it is not energized. When current is connected to the solenoid  72 , the plunger  85  is driven by the electromagnetic force to push against the push-button switch  90  and the handheld video camera controller  74  will emit IR signals through the IR source  79 . The plunger  85  will retract back into the solenoid  72  as soon as the current is disconnected and the push-button switch  90  is released.  
         [0067]    Each bracket  71  is secured to the mounting block  75  by at least one fastener  70 , which can be screw, rivet, nut and bolt or any other mechanical device which can facilitate the assembly. The PCBA  76  is supported by the mounting block  75  and is secured to the mounting block  75  by at least one fastener  87 , which can be screw, rivet, nut and bolt or any other mechanical device which can facilitate the assembly. The handheld video camera controller  74  is confined in place by the protrusion  89  surrounding the top edges of the handheld video camera controller  74  while exposing the switches to the solenoid  72 . The back of the handheld video camera controller  74  is secured by the bottom cover  91  of the main unit  2 . The mounting block  75  is supported by the bottom housing  77  and is secured to the bottom housing  77  by at least one fastener  88 , which can be screw, rivet, nut and bolt or any other mechanical device which can facilitate the assembly. The top cover  83  covers the top portion of the main unit  2  and mate to the edges of the bottom housing  77 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 4 is the top plan view of the handheld video camera controller  74 . The IR light source  79  emits IR signals generated by the generic handheld video camera controller  74 . Switch  92  controls the recording start and stop functions. Switch  93  controls the zoom in function. Switch  94  controls the zoom out function. Switch  101  controls the play function. Switch  100  controls the fast forward function. Switch  99  controls the fast rewind function. Switch  98  controls the stop function. Switch  97  controls the pause function. Switch  96  controls the slow play function. Switch  95  controls the display function. The IR source  79  will emit the correlated IR signals, as any one of the above switches is activate.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 5 is the cross section view of FIG. 1 taken along  3 - 3 . It illustrates the IR light transmission path. The IR signals are generated by the IR light source  79  of the handheld video camera controller  74 . The IR signals are emitted into the IR transmission tunnel  9  as light vector  80 . It is then diverted to a 90 degrees turn by the 90 degrees reflection mirror  81  and enters into the inlet stator section  103  of the IR transmission rotary union  11 . The rotary section  102  of the IR transmission rotary union  11  can rotate relatively to the inlet stator section  103 . After the desirable angle between the rotary section  102  and the inlet stator section  103  of the IR transmission rotary union  11  is set, the angle will be fixed by fastener  123 , which can be screw, rivet, nut and bolt, clamping device or any other mechanical device which can facilitate the assembly. The light vector  80  will then be diverted to a 90 degrees turn by the 90 degrees reflection mirror  81  of the 90 degrees reflection section  104  of the IR transmission rotary union  11  and enters into the inlet stator section  105  of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12 . The extension section  106  of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  can extend relatively to the inlet stator section  105 . After the desirable length between the inlet stator section  105  and the extension section  106  of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  is set, the length will be fixed by fastener  124 , which can be screw, rivet, nut and bolt, clamping device or any other mechanical device which can facilitate the assembly. The light vector  80  will then be diverted to a 90 degrees turn by the 90 degrees reflection mirror  81  of the 90 degrees reflection section  107  of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12 . The tunnel end cover lens  108 , which is made of transparent material like polycarbonate or glass, protects the light transmission channel from dust and foreign contamination. The light vector  80  passes through the lens  108  and enters into the generic video camera  1  through the IR receiver inlet lens  17 . All the internal walls of the IR light transmission channel are light reflective surfaces  78 . These reflective surfaces  78  minimize the mount of quality lost of the light vectors  80  during the transmission processes.  
         [0070]    In practice the user adjusts the angle between the rotary section  102  and the inlet stator section  103  of the IR transmission rotary union  11 ; and the length between the inlet stator section  105  and the extension section  106  of the adjustable length IR transmission tunnel  12  to align the lens  108  to cover over the IR receiver inlet lens  17 . In results, the IR signals can be transmitted from the light source  79  to the IR receiver inlet lens  17 .  
         [0071]    In operation, the user first has to install the handheld video camera controller  74  into the main unit  2 , then align and correlate the solenoid-bracket subassemblies  125  etc of the main unit  2  to the switches  92  etc of the handheld video camera controller  74  as following table  
         [0072]    Switch  92  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  125 .  
         [0073]    Switch  93  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  127 .  
         [0074]    Switch  94  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  128 .  
         [0075]    Switch  101  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  134 .  
         [0076]    Switch  99  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  133 .  
         [0077]    Switch  100  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  126 .  
         [0078]    Switch  98  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  132 .  
         [0079]    Switch  97  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  131 .  
         [0080]    Switch  96  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  129 .  
         [0081]    Switch  95  correlated to Solenoid-Bracket Subassembly  130 .  
         [0082]    All the solenoid-bracket subassemblies are identical and it is user&#39;s choice to chose anyone of these subassemblies to correlate to anyone of the switches of the handheld video camera controller.  
         [0083]    In operation, an electrical signal is sent to the PCBA  76  of the main unit  2  through the harness cable  5  when switch  60  of the remote controller  3  receives the input from the user. The PCBA  76  will convert the signal to an electrical function to activate the solenoid  72  of the solenoid-bracket subassembly  127 . The plunger  85  of the above solenoid will extend out and push against and activate the switch  93  of the handheld video camera controller  74 . Then the handheld video camera controller  74  will issue an IR signal, which has the same quality as the light vector  80  and is named as light vector  80  in this document. This light vector  80  is then emitted out by the IR source  79 . This light vector  80  will then travel through the light tunnel as per FIG. 5 to IR inlet lens  17  of the video camera  1  and eventually the video camera  1  will carry out the function as per the switch  93  of the handheld video camera controller  74 , which is already set to correlate to switch  60  during the setup process. By the same token, all the switches of the remote controller  3  can perform the similar controlling function of the switches of the handheld video camera controller  74  from a distance away and it is not directional dependence.  
         [0084]    As for wireless remote operation, a radio frequency signal  68  is generated by the wireless remote controller  4  when switch  50  is activated by the user. This radio frequency signal  68  is then emitted out through the antenna  47 . The PCBA 76  of the main unit  2  will detect and receive this radio frequency signal  68  via the antenna  67  and generate corresponding electrical functions to activate the solenoid  72  of the solenoid-bracket subassembly  127 . The plunger  85  of the above solenoid will extend out and push against and activate the switch  93  of the handheld video camera controller  74 . Then the handheld video camera controller  74  will issue an IR signal, which has the same quality as the light vector  80  and is named as light vector  80  in this document. This light vector  80  is then emitted out by the IR source  79 . This light vector  80  will then travel through the light tunnel as per FIG. 5 to IR inlet lens  17  of the video camera  1  and eventually the video camera  1  will carry out the function as per the switch  93  of the handheld video camera controller  74 , which is already set to correlate to switch  50  during the setup process. By the same token, all the switches of the wireless remote controller  4  can perform the similar controlling function of the switches of the handheld video camera controller  74  from a distance away and it is not directional dependence.  
         [0085]    It will be appreciated that the sizes and shapes and dispositions of various main unit, push-button switch actuator subassembly, slider switch actuator subassembly, shield, remote controller, wireless remote controller and handheld device controller can be varied, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Similarly, the size and location of mounting holes, housing, material protrusions and the like may be varied. While the sealing of the internal housing spaces with gaskets, seal or other sealing mechanisms may instead be used. While the remote control device has been described with respect to application with handheld video cameras, the described system may be applied to other video cameras, including without limitation to supply mounting for digital cameras, cameras and other IR (infrared) handheld control device.  
         [0086]    Modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the subject and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.