Universal Remote Control Digital Cameras

• US 20080049110A1
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uab Yukon Advanced Optics Worldwide
• Original Assignee: Uab Yukon Advanced Optics Worldwide
• Inventors: Arbouzov, Ivan
• Application Number:
  US11/467,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20080049110A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/211.99
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

The “Universal Digital Camera Remote Control” (“UDCRC”) allows users to add a remote control to any camera having an interface port. The UDCRC comprises an adapter unit that connects to the interface port of the digital camera, and a remote unit that communicates with the adapter unit. Controls on the remote unit correspond to various functions of the digital camera so that when a user selects and activates one of the controls on the remote unit, a signal corresponding to the control selected is sent to the adapter unit. The adapter unit detects the signal and sends a corresponding command to the digital camera via the interface port so that the digital camera performs the function corresponding to the control selected by the user.

Claims

1. A method for remotely controlling a digital camera, the process comprising:

connecting an adapter to an interface port on the digital camera so that, responsive to activation of an actuator by a user on a remote and communication of a first signal from the remote that corresponds to the actuator activated by the user, the adapter communicates a second signal to the camera so that the digital camera performs a function corresponding to the actuator on the remote activated by the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal comprises an optical wave.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal comprises a radio wave.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the interface port complies with USB standards.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the interface port complies with FIREWIRE standards.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the command directs the controller on the camera to activate the shutter and take a picture.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the command directs the controller on the camera to adjust magnification of an image to be photographed.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the command directs the controller on the camera to adjust settings for a flash.

9. An apparatus for remotely controlling a camera, the apparatus comprising:

a remote with at least one actuator corresponding to a function on a camera, adapted to send signals to an adapter;

the adapter adapted to connect to the interface port of a camera and communicate with a controller computer on the camera;

a processor connected to a memory in the adapter;

a program in the memory operable to initialize the adapter to interact with the controller computer on the camera and responsive to a signal sent by the remote, send a command to the controller computer on the camera corresponding to the signal sent by the remote.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the signal comprises an optical wave.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the signal comprises a radio wave.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the interface port complies with USB standards.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the interface port complies with FIREWIRE standards.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the command directs the controller computer on the camera to activate the shutter and take a picture.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the command directs the controller computer on the camera to adjust magnification of an image to be photographed.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the command directs the controller computer on the camera to adjust settings for a flash.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the connection between the adapter and the camera'"'"'s interface port is structurally sufficient to support the weight of the adapter.

18. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a mechanical means of attaching the adapter to the camera in addition to the connection through the interface port.

19. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the adapter is adapted to connect to more than one interface port types.