Camera docking solution provides a user interface for printers, CD writers and other devices

• US 20040201680A1
• Filed: 05/30/2001
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Dow, James C., Battles, Amy E., Gennetten, K. Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 7,119,835 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like

Abstract

A camera mount includes a hosting device including a flat surface for mounting a camera including a user interface. A first connector is located on the flat surface such that the first connector mates to a complementary connector located on the camera. The user interface of the camera also functions as the user interface of the hosting device.

Claims

1. A camera mount comprising:

a hosting device including a flat surface for mounting a camera including a user interface;

a hollow post on said flat surface wherein said post is sized to fit within a mounting hole of the camera;

a trigger device for raising and lowering a first connector located within the hollow post wherein said first connector mates with a complementary connector located within the mounting hole of the camera; and

wherein the user interface of the camera also functions as the user interface of the hosting device.

2. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the first connector is coupled to a power source within said hosting device.

3. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the first connector is coupled to a memory device within said hosting device.

4. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes pins for data connections to a memory of the camera.

5. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes pins for power connections to a power supply of the camera.

6. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the first connector is located within said hollow post.

7. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the trigger device is coupled to a mechanical linkage for raising and lowering the first connector.

8. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the post press-fits snugly into the mounting hole of the camera.

9. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the post is threaded.

10. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a flag-shaped contact for connecting to a memory of the camera.

11. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a flag-shaped contact for connecting to a power supply of the camera.

12. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the hosting device is a CD Writer.

13. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the hosting device is a printer.

14. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the hosting device is a device that processes digital images.

15. A camera mount comprising:

a hosting device including a flat surface for mounting a camera including a user interface;

a first connector on said flat surface wherein said first connector mates to a complementary connector located on the camera; and

wherein the user interface of the camera also functions as the user interface of the hosting device.

16. The camera mount of claim 15, wherein the hosting device is a CD Writer.

17. The camera mount of claim 15, wherein the hosting device is a printer.

18. The camera mount of claim 15, wherein the hosting device is a device that processes digital images.