High definition camera pan tilt mechanism

• US 20060104633A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Kenoyer, Michael L., Oxford, William V., Vanderwilt, Patrick D., Haenlein, Hans-Christoph, Kaplan, Jonathan I., Lukic, Branko
• Granted Patent: US 7,473,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/428
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

In various embodiments, a High Definition (HD) camera may be controlled by one or more motors in a base of the HD camera. Cables and other components may be used to manipulate the camera lens through the side arms of the HD camera. Putting the motors in the base may reduce the size of the outer case of the HD camera and add stability. In some embodiments, images from the HD camera may be converted into a serialized stream and transported over a cable from the lens through a center shaft of the HD camera. Other components may also be used to increase the functionality of the HD camera. In some embodiments, a camera support mechanism may be provided to couple a camera to a display. The camera support mechanism may include a front lip and rear leg to hold camera in place.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a high definition (HD) camera, comprising;

a lens portion;

a base coupled to the lens portion, wherein the base comprises;

at least one motor located in the base of the HD camera, wherein

the at least one motor is operable to pan the HD camera and tilt the HD camera.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one motor comprises a first motor and a second motor;

wherein the first motor is located in the base of the HD camera and is operable to pan the HD camera; and

wherein the second motor is located in the base of the HD camera and is operable to tilt the HD camera.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first plate in the base of the HD camera coupled to the first motor to pan the HD camera.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second plate in the base of the HD camera coupled to the second motor to tilt the HD camera.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a tilt cable in an arm of the HD camera,

wherein the tilt cable is coupled to the second plate;

wherein rotation of the second plate pulls the tilt cable to rotate a rod coupled to the HD camera;

wherein rotating the rod tilts the HD camera.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a thin cable coupled to the HD camera, wherein the thin cable transmits a high speed serial digital stream.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the thin cable carries digitized microphone data and digital image data.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the thin cable carries bi-directional control data for controlling the first motor, second motor, focus motor, zoom motor, iris motor, or power to the HD camera.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an opto-interrupter on at least one of the first plate and the second plate, wherein the opto-interrupter detects motion of the at least first plate or second plate past a predefined point.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein if the opto-interrupter detects motion past the predefined point, the opto-interrupter signals the first motor or second motor, corresponding to the plate the opto-interrupter is coupled, to stop.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an array of microphones coupled to the HD camera, wherein the array of microphones is used to detect a direction to a sound source.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detection of the direction to the sound source is used to aim the HD camera.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a remote control sensor coupled to the HD camera.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a field programmable gate array (FPGA) configured to control the at least one motor in the base of the HD camera.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving a first signal to pan an HD camera;

activating a first motor to pan the HD camera;

receiving a second signal to tilt the HD camera;

activating a second motor to tilt the HD camera;

wherein the first motor pans the HD camera through rotation of a first plate coupled to the HD camera; and

wherein the second motor tilts the HD camera through rotation of a second plate coupled to the HD camera through cables in an arm of the HD camera.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first motor and the second motor are in a base of the HD camera.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting motion of at least the first plate or the second plate past a predefined point;

if the opto-interrupter detects motion past the predefined point, the opto-interrupter signals the first motor or the second motor, corresponding to the first plate or second plate coupled to the opto-interrupter, to stop.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting a high speed serial digital stream through a thin cable coupled to the HD camera.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

an array of microphones coupled to the HD camera, wherein signals from the array of microphones may be beamformed to detect a direction to a sound source.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein an FPGA in the HD camera receives the first and second signal and controls the first motor and the second motor.