Scouting Camera User Interface

• US 20100329661A1
• Filed: 06/30/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Non Typical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Non Typical Incorporated
• Inventors: Cuddeback, Mark J.
• Application Number:
  US12/826,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20100329661A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/299
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/04 collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A game scouting camera including a processing system having an operating system and a memory device and a user interface operably connected to the processing system that has (a) a visual display, (b) at least one operation key for inputting user commands, and (c) a multiple-stage manual switch movable to multiple alignment positions to control multiple camera functions during a camera setup procedure.

Claims

1. A scouting camera, comprising:

a processing system having an operating system and a memory device; and

a user interface operably connected to the processing system and including;

(a) a visual display;

(b) at least one operation key for inputting user commands; and

(c) a multiple-stage manual switch movable to multiple alignment positions to control multiple camera functions during a camera setup procedure.

2. The scouting camera of claim 1 wherein the multiple-stage manual switch defines a first range controlling a first category of camera functions and a second range controlling a second, different category of camera functions.

3. The scouting camera of claim 2 wherein the at least one operation key is used in combination with the multiple-stage manual switch to define a value that corresponds to a setting within one of the first and second categories of camera functions.

4. The scouting camera of claim 3 wherein the multiple-stage manual switch alone is used to define a value that corresponds to a setting within the other one of the first and second categories of camera functions.

5. The scouting camera of claim 2 wherein:

the first category of camera functions includes at least one of time and date settings; and

the second category of camera functions includes picture-taking frequency settings.

6. The scouting camera of claim 5 wherein the multiple-stage manual switch further defines a switch position corresponding to at least one of a test mode and a power-off setting.

7. The scouting camera of claim 2 wherein the at least one operation key includes a first operation key and a second operation key and the multiple-stage manual switch defines (a) a time position for setting a time value, (b) a date position for setting month and day values, and (c) a year position for setting a year value, at least one position of which is displayable on the visual display.

8. The scouting camera of claim 2 wherein when the multiple-stage manual switch is located at the time position, the first operation key manipulates an hour value and the second operation key manipulates a minute value.

9. The scouting camera of claim 2 wherein when the multiple-stage manual switch is located at the date position, the first operation key manipulates a month value, and the second operation key manipulates a day value.

10. The scouting camera of claim 2 wherein when the multiple-stage manual switch is located at the year position, manipulating the first operation key increases a year value displayed on the visual display and manipulating the second operation key decreases a year value.

11. The scouting camera of claim 1 wherein the manual switch is a rotary switch.

12. A method of operating a scouting camera, the method including performing an initial setup of the scouting camera by (a) determining a setting to define a value therefor, (b) aligning a multiple-stage rotary switch to a position that corresponds to the setting, (c) manipulating an operation key to define the value, and (d) activating the scouting camera.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the scouting camera is automatically activated after performing the initial setup.

14. The method of claim 12 further including determining a second setting to define a second value therefor and defining the second value by aligning the multiple-stage rotary switch to a position that corresponds to a desired value.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the second value is defined without manipulating the operation key.

16. A method of operating a scouting camera, comprising:

rotating a multiple-stage rotary switch from a position corresponding to a power-off setting to a position within a first rotational range for controlling a first category of camera functions;

defining a first setting value within the first category of camera functions by manipulating an operation key; and

defining a second setting value within a second category of camera functions by rotating the multiple-stage rotary switch to a position within a second rotational range.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first category of camera functions includes time and date settings and the second category of camera functions includes picture-taking frequency settings.

18. The method of claim 17 further including:

moving the multiple-stage rotary switch to a first discrete position within the first rotational range;

manipulating the operation key to set a first time and/or date value;

moving the multiple-stage rotary switch to a second discrete position within the first rotational range;

manipulating the operation key to set a second time and/or date value; and

moving the multiple-stage rotary switch to a discrete position within the second rotational range to set a picture-taking frequency value.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein setting the picture-taking frequency value is performed without manipulating the operation key.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the scouting camera includes first and second operation keys and the multiple-stage rotary switch defines (a) a time position for setting a time value, (b) a date position for setting month and day values, and (c) a year position for setting a year value, at least one position of which is displayable on the visual display.

21. The method of claim 20 further including moving the multiple-stage rotary switch to a time position, manipulating the first operation key to set an hour value, and manipulating the second operation key to set a minute value.

22. The method of claim 20 further including moving the multiple-stage rotary switch to a date position, manipulating the first operation key to set a month value, and manipulating the second operation key to set a day value.

23. The scouting camera of claim 20 further including moving the multiple-stage rotary switch to a year position, manipulating the first operation key to increase a year value, and manipulating the second operation key to decrease a year value.