Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present application relates to the field of optical magnification devices and more particularly to a system for alignment of a camera viewed with magnification devices with a light source. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Video cameras continue to become smaller and more useful in recording events as they occur. In the field of surgery, for example, doctors use video recording to record operations for subsequent viewing by students, for learning purposes, and insurance companies, for malpractice avoidance. 
         [0005]    Generally, the video cameras that are used are mounted to the doctor&#39;s head or glasses to provide a view of what the doctor is seeing. In addition, a light may also be attached to the video camera in order to light the area in which the user is viewing. 
         [0006]    However, when the doctor is performing microsurgery or dental surgery, magnification devices are typically employed. These magnification devices generally limit the doctor&#39;s view to a very small area. In this case, any misalignment of the doctor&#39;s optical view, the camera&#39;s optical view or projected light can cause video recording of an area that is not being viewed by the doctor or not lighting the doctor&#39;s viewing area. 
         [0007]    Thus, the benefits achieved by the video recording may be negated. 
         [0008]    Hence, there is a need in the industry for a system and method of providing and maintaining precise alignment of the optical viewing angles of the doctor and the video recording device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a system for providing and maintaining a precise alignment of a camera&#39;s view and an intended lighted area. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to maintain a fixed positional relationship between a video recorder optical view and a lighted area. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus disclosed that provides alignment between a camera and a light, the apparatus comprising a housing containing a camera therein, said camera having a known focal length, said housing comprising a first cavity and a second cavity at a proximate end of said housing, wherein a passage is formed between said first cavity and said second cavity; a light fixture pivotedly attached to said housing at a substantially distal end of each of the housing and the light fixture; and an adjustment mechanism comprising: a vertical follower, pivotedly attached to a proximate end of said light fixture, said vertical follower including a threaded passage therethrough, said threaded passage having a known pitch; a retaining nut, contained in said first cavity, said retaining nut including an internal thread of said known pitch, a compression spring having a first end in contact with a closed end of said second cavity and a bottom surface of said vertical follower; and a lead screw, extending through said vertical follower, said compression spring and said passage to said retaining nut, said lead screw having a thread matching said internal thread. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a better understanding of exemplary embodiments and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. It is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example only and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded cross section view of an alignment mechanism according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a prospective assembled view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A and 3B  illustrate exemplary angular offsets according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional, assembled view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
       
    
    
       [0017]    It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers represent like elements between the drawings. 
         [0018]    It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention described herein have been simplified to illustrate the elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity many other elements. However, because these omitted elements are well-known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such element is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to also variations and modifications known to those skilled in the art. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a cross sectional view of an unassembled device  100  in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1 , illustrates a camera/light combination device  100  comprising a camera housing  110  (including a camera  111 , therein, and a light assembly  120 . Also shown is a pivot mechanism  130  attached to a substantially distal end of each of the light assembly  120  and the camera housing  110 . Pivot mechanism  130  allows for a change in angle between the camera housing  110  and the light  120 . Further illustrated is an alignment mechanism  140  that controls and retains a set angle between camera housing  110  and light  120 , such that the illumination provided by light  120  is maintained at a desired point (e.g., the focal point of camera  111 ). 
         [0021]    Alignment mechanism  140  includes a housing  142  and an adjustment mechanism  144 . Housing  142  engages pivot mechanism  130  attached to camera housing  110 . Housing  142  rotates about pivot mechanism  130  in order to vary or change the angle of light  120  relative to a reference line (e.g., an optical axis of camera  111 ). Thus, alignment means  140  controls the orientation of light  120  with respect to camera  110 . 
         [0022]    Adjustment mechanism  144  is pivotedly attached to housing  142 . Adjustment mechanism  144  controls and maintains the orientation of housing  142 , and consequently, the orientation of light  120  with respect to camera housing  110 . 
         [0023]    Adjustment mechanism  144  includes a lead screw  150 , a vertical follower  152 , a vertical follower cover  170  and spring  154 , wherein vertical flower  152  and vertical follower cover  170  includes a passage (not shown) to allow insertion of lead screw  150 . Lead screw  150  enables linear actuation of the threaded vertical follower  152  in a vertical direction. Vertical follower  152  is threaded such that vertical follower  152  moves vertically along the lead screw  150  and, consequently, vary an angle of the light  120  with respect to the orientation of the camera housing  110 . Spring  154  retains rigidity of the adjustment mechanism  144  by providing vertical pressure on a bottom face of vertical follower  152  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0024]    Also shown are washer  160  and nut  162 . Washer  160  minimizes surface wear between nut  162  and camera housing  110 . Nut  162  captures lead screw  150  and allows for the turning of lead screw  150 , which causes vertical movement of vertical follower  152  (and cover  172 ). 
         [0025]    Also shown is attachment (dowel) pin  164  that attaches the adjustment mechanism  144  to housing  142  through recess  168  in housing  142  and recess  166  in vertical follower  152 . Vertical follower cover  170  is attached to vertical follower  152 ) through set screw  172 . Vertical follower cover  170 , thus, moves vertically as vertical follower  152  moves along lead screw  150 . 
         [0026]    Dowel pin  164  enables vertical follower  152  to pivot in order to retain a substantially vertical position relative to housing  142  as lead screw  150  is adjusted (i.e., turned) and orientation of light fixture  120  with camera housing  110  changes. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a prospective view of the camera/light assembly  100  in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
         [0028]    Also shown is an exploded view of the attachment of pivot point  130  with housing  142  and an exploded view of alignment mechanism  140 . 
         [0029]    Also shown is a passage  210  in vertical follower cover  170  and vertical follower  152  through which lead screw  150  passes. Also shown is spring  154  and nut  162  through which lead screw  150  passes. Spring  154  engage a bottom surface of vertical follower  152 . 
         [0030]    Also shown is cavity  220  in camera housing  110 . Cavity  220  captures and retains nut  162  within camera housing  110 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate angular orientation of the light  120  with regard to the optical axis of camera  110  at two different distances (e.g., the focal points  320 ); 9 inches and 28 inches. 
         [0032]    In this illustrative embodiment, the angular orientation of light  120  with respect to the optical axis of camera  110  varies from 6.9 degrees at 9 inches to 2.15 degrees at 28 inches. The vertical and substantially liner motion of lead screw  150  causes an angular (and non-linear) motion of light  120  with respect to optical axis  310  of camera  111 . 
         [0033]    As would be appreciated, the angular orientation of light  120  with respect to the optical axis of camera  111 , at one or more distances from the camera housing  110 , is also based on a distance between a center point of the optical axis  310  of the camera  111  and a center point of light projection of light  120 . Hence, the range (i.e., 9-28 inches) discussed herein is solely to illustrate a range (distance) and present the subject matter claimed as the invention. Thus, changes in the height of the vertical follower  152 , which rides on the lead screw  150 , adjusts the angle of the light  120  relative to the optical axis  310  of the camera  111 , such that a substantially maximum illumination is presented at the focal point of camera  111 . 
         [0034]    Thus, in accordance with the principles of the invention, the angular orientation between light  120  and camera  111  may be set, and retained, at a specific angle that is based on a specific distance from the camera lens. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates an detailed cross-sectional view of the alignment mechanism  140  showing lead screw  150  engaging nut  162  and being retained by compression spring  154  between a bottom surface  420  of vertical follower  152  and camera housing  110 . Also shown is housing  142 , which pivots about pivot point  130 , as lead screw  150  engages nut  162  and vertical follower  152  travels vertically along lead screw  150 . 
         [0036]    Further illustrated is cavity  220  in camera housing  110  retaining nut  162 , which retains lead screw in a desired position. Cavity  220  allows lead screw  150  to turn but not advance in its position with regard to nut  162 . 
         [0037]    Also shown is a second cavity  430  in camera housing  110 . Second cavity  430 , which is substantially perpendicular to the first cavity  220 , captures spring  154  to retain spring  154  in tension between a surface of camera housing  110  (e.g., surface  440  of second cavity  430 ) and bottom surface  420  of vertical follower  152 . 
         [0038]    Also shown is passage  460  through camera housing  110  that connects second cavity  430  with first cavity  220 . Passage  460  allows lead screw  150  to connect to nut  162  in first cavity  220 . Passage  460  may in one aspect of the invention be threaded. In another aspect of the invention, passage  460  may be smooth to allow lead screw  150  to pass through to engage number  162 . 
         [0039]    Also shown is screw head  450 , which is used to adjust the adjustment mechanism by turning lead screw  150 . Screw head may be one of a slotted, Phillips, hex, knurled, etc., which allows turning of lead screw  150 . 
         [0040]    As would be appreciated the incremental change in orientation of housing  142  about pivot point  130  is determined based at least on a tread sizing (i.e., treads per inch) and the length of lead screw  150 . For example, using a treading sizing 80 treads per inch a quarter-turn of the lead screw  150  may result in an incremental distance change in the order of one-half (½) inch. Note, that the incremental distance change is a non-linear function of the rotation of the lead screw  150 . Thus, at a close range or distance (e.g., 9 inches) a one-quarter turn rotation of lead screw  150  results in change of distance that is different than a similar one-quarter turn rotation of lead screw  150  at a further distance. (e.g., 28 inches). Hence, said pitch of lead screw is determined based on a desired rate of angular change of the light  120  with regard to a rotational change of the lead screw  150 . 
         [0041]    The sizing of lead screw  150  at 80 threads per inch is merely of an example, and it would be recognized that other thread sizing may be incorporated without altering the scope of the invention. 
         [0042]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , there is also shown a second attachment means  260 . In this illustrated case, the second attachment means  260  includes a slotted or “T” attachment  262  that may be used to attach or mate with an external “T” (not shown). Attachment means  260  may be used to attach the completed device  100  to a second device (not shown). For example, device  100  may be attached to the bridge of eyeglasses using second attachment means  260 . Or device  100  may be attached to a head set (or head band) using second attachment means  260 . 
         [0043]    In addition, second attachment means  260  may be fixedly attached to a proximate end of the housing  110 . Alternatively, the second attachment means  260  may be pivotedly attached to housing  110  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) to housing  110 . 
         [0044]    In an alternative embodiment, the second attachment means may represent a screw type mechanism that may include a screw and fixed surface. The screw retains device  100  in place by the screw applying pressure to a bridge of an eyeglass captured between the screw and the fixed surface. 
         [0045]    The invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than with a restrictive view, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. 
         [0046]    Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, and solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefits, advantages, or solutions to occur or become more pronounced, are not to be construed as a critical, required, or an essential feature or element of any or all of the claims. 
         [0047]    As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term “of” refers to an inclusive “or” and not to an exclusive “or”. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present); A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present); and both A and B are true (or present). 
         [0048]    The terms “a” or “an” as used herein are to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done for convenience to the reader and to provide a general sense of the invention. The use of these terms in the description herein should be read and understood to include one or at least one. In addition, the singular also includes the plural unless indicated to the contrary. For example, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes one or more compounds. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0049]    All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In any instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded (or lowered) to the nearest significant figure. 
         [0050]    It is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated.

Technology Category: h