Docked camera becomes electronic picture frame

• US 20040201774A1
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Gennetten, K. Douglas
• Application Number:
  US09/855,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201774A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00198 Creation of a soft photo presentation, e.g. digital slide-show
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A digital camera mounted to a camera dock so as to function as an electronic picture frame that includes a mounting portion for receiving a digital camera; and a support portion pivotally coupled to the docking portion where the support portion is in contact with a surface.

Claims

1. An camera dock comprising:

a mounting portion for receiving a digital camera comprising an LCD for viewing images;

a support portion pivotally coupled to said docking portion wherein said support portion is in contact with a surface;

wherein said mounting portion further comprises a port for receiving a cable for power and data connections wherein said cable is connected to a processor of another device.

2. The camera dock of claim 1, where said cable is a USB cable.

3. The camera dock of claim 1, wherein said mounting portion further comprises at least one function button for activating/deactivating a first function.

4. The camera dock of claim 1, wherein said support portion further comprises an indent on a bottom portion of the support portion so as to allow said cable to pass under the support portion with sufficient room so as to not lift the support portion off of the surface.

5. The camera dock of claim 1, wherein said support portion further comprises an infra-red sensor for remote operation of said dock.

6. The camera dock of claim 1, wherein said mounting portion further comprises at least one illuminated button for activating/deactivating a first function.

7. The camera dock of claim 6, wherein said first function is selected from the group consisting of:

television, printer and PC.

8. The camera dock of claim 1, wherein said mounting portion further comprises a first illuminated button, a second illuminated button and a third illuminated button wherein each button activates/deactivates a particular function.

9. The camera dock of claim 8, wherein said first illuminated button activates/deactivates a television function.

10. The camera dock of claim 8, wherein said second button activates/deactivates a printer function.

11. The camera dock of claim 8, wherein said third button activates/deactivates a PC function.

12. The camera dock of claim 1, wherein said mounting portion further comprises a light-emitting diode indicating a status of the camera dock.

13. The camera dock of claim 1, wherein said camera is mounted to said dock such that said LCD faces a user.

14. 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.

15. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the first connector is coupled to a power source.

16. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the first connector is coupled to a memory device.

17. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the first connector includes pins for data connections to a memory of the camera.

18. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the first connector includes pins for power connections to a power supply of the camera.

19. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the first connector is located within said hollow post.

20. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the trigger device is coupled to a mechanical linkage for raising and lowering the first connector.

21. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the post press-fits snugly into the mounting hole of the camera.

22. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the post is threaded.

23. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the post is made of rubber.

24. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the first connector includes a flag-shaped contact for connecting to a memory of the camera.

25. The camera mount of claim 14, wherein the first connector includes a flag-shaped contact for connecting to a power supply of the camera.

26. A method of displaying digital images comprising:

coupling a digital camera to a camera mount wherein the camera mount is electrically connected to said digital camera; and

displaying digital images on an LCD of said digital camera.