Hot-swappable camera head system and method
First Claim
1. A hot-swappable camera head system comprising:
- a processing unit having a first port to receive digital image information, a memory, a digital signal processor to process the image information and compress it for storage in the memory, and a second port to supply data selected from the group including processed image information and compressed image information; and
, a detachable head including a lens, a light sensing device, and a port for connection to the processing unit first port, to supply the digital image information.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for a hot-swappable digital camera head. The system comprises a processing unit with a port to receive digital image information from a camera head. The processing unit includes a memory, and a digital signal processor to process the image information and compress it for storage in the memory. The processor unit can supply either processed (raw) image information, or compressed image information. The detachable head includes a lens, a light sensing device, and a port for connection to the processing unit port, to supply the digital image information. The processing unit can be attached to one of a plurality of head models, where each head model supplies digital image information in a potentially different image information format. The differences in formats can be related to the light sensing device used or variance between manufacturer interfaces. The processing unit memory includes a plurality of selectable processing applications for operating the digital signal processor, where each processing application corresponds to one of the different image information formats. The head port supplies a model signal to indicate the model of the head. The processing unit reads the model signal and selects a processing application from memory in response to the model signal. Following the selection of the processing application, the processor unit operates the digital signal processor with the selected processing application.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A hot-swappable camera head system comprising:
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a processing unit having a first port to receive digital image information, a memory, a digital signal processor to process the image information and compress it for storage in the memory, and a second port to supply data selected from the group including processed image information and compressed image information; and
,a detachable head including a lens, a light sensing device, and a port for connection to the processing unit first port, to supply the digital image information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for hot-swapping a camera head, the method comprising:
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providing a processing unit to receive digital image information from a camera head;
connecting a detachable head including a lens and a light sensing device to the processing unit; and
,supplying digital image information to the processing unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A hot-swappable camera head system comprising:
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a processing unit having a first port to receive digital image information, a memory, a digital signal processor to process the image information and compress it for storage in the memory, and a second port to supply data selected from the group including processed image information and compressed image information;
a plurality of detachable head models, each head model including a lens, a light sensing device, and a port for connection to the processing unit first port, to supply the digital image information in a corresponding plurality of image information formats; and
,wherein the processing unit memory includes a plurality of selectable processing applications for operating the digital signal processor, each processing application corresponding to one of the plurality of image information formats.
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Specification