HOUSING WITH TOUCH-THROUGH MEMBRANE

• US 20140104488A1
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Inventors: SAMUELS, RUDY L., BARBIER, FABRICE, COONS, EVAN L., Northway, DAVID C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,241,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/374
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A camera system includes a camera and a housing that is structured to at least partially enclose the camera. The camera includes a touch-sensitive surface that can be used to receive user input. The camera housing includes a touch-through membrane in a position that allows the membrane to align with the touch-sensitive surface when the camera is placed in the housing. The membrane transfers a user'"'"'s gestures so that any touch gestures that are performed on the exterior surface of the membrane are transferred to the touch-sensitive surface.

Claims

1. A camera system, comprising:

a camera comprising;

a camera body having a camera lens structured on a first surface of the camera body;

imaging electronics internal to the camera body, the imaging electronics for capturing images via the camera lens; and

a touch-sensitive surface structured on a second surface of the camera body opposite the first surface, the touch-sensitive surface for receiving user input to the camera; and

a camera housing comprising;

a first housing portion structured to receive the camera;

a second housing portion configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the first housing portion, wherein the camera housing encloses the camera when the second housing portion is in the closed position;

an inner hinge structure located on a bottom edge adjacent to a bottom face of the first housing portion;

an outer hinge structure located on a bottom edge adjacent to a bottom face of the second housing portion, the outer hinge structure detachably coupling to the inner hinge structure, wherein the outer hinge structure and the inner hinge structure form a hinge when coupled so that the second housing portion and the first housing portion are pivotally attached about the hinge;

a first fastening structure located on a top face of the first housing portion, the top face opposite to the bottom face of the first housing portion;

a second fastening structure located on a top edge adjacent to a top face of the second housing portion, the top face opposite to the bottom face of the second housing portion, the second fastening structure for detachably coupling to the first fastening structure so that the second housing portion is secured to the first housing portion in the closed position when the first fastening structure is coupled to the second fastening structure.

a membrane on the second housing portion, the membrane positioned to substantially align with the touch-sensitive surface when the second housing is in the closed position, and configured to transfer touch interactions from an external side of the membrane to the touch-sensitive surface.

2. The camera system of claim 1, further comprising a compressible structure positioned between the external side of the membrane and the second housing portion, the compressible structure configured to press an internal side of the membrane toward the touch-sensitive surface when the second housing portion is in the closed position.

3. The camera system of claim 2, wherein the compressible structure forms a waterproof seal between the membrane and the second housing portion.

4. The camera system of claim 2, wherein the compressible structure presses the membrane against the touch-sensitive surface so that the membrane is in physical contact with the touch-sensitive surface.

5. The camera system of claim 2, further comprising a spacer positioned on the internal side of the membrane, wherein the compressible structure presses the spacer against the touch-sensitive surface so that the membrane is held substantially close to the touch-sensitive surface.

6. The camera system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first sealing structure positioned on edges of the second housing portion and configured to provide a watertight seal between the first housing portion and the second housing portion; and

a second sealing structure positioned between the external side of the membrane and the second housing portion and configured to provide a watertight seal between the membrane and the second housing portion,

wherein the first sealing structure and the second sealing structure collectively cause the camera housing to become watertight when the second housing portion is moved into the closed position.

7. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the inner hinge structure comprises one or more hook-shaped protrusions configured to be detachably fastened to a rod-shaped member of the outer hinge structure.

8. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the first housing portion further comprises a front face, a left side face, and a right side face, wherein the second housing portion further comprises a back face, and wherein the membrane is positioned on the back face of the second housing portion.

9. The camera system of claim 8, further comprising a lens window, the lens window structured on the front face of the first housing portion to substantially align with the camera lens on the camera body.

10. A system, comprising:

an electronic device having a touch-sensitive surface for receiving user input; and

a housing for the electronic device, comprising;

an enclosure structured to enclose the electronic device;

a membrane having a first side external to the housing and a second side internal to the housing, the membrane configured to transfer touch interactions from the first side to the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device; and

a compressible structure positioned between the first side of the membrane and a surface of the enclosure, the compressible structure configured to press the membrane toward the touch-sensitive surface.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the compressible structure presses the membrane against the touch-sensitive surface so that the second side of the membrane contacts the touch-sensitive surface.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the housing further comprises a second compressible structure positioned on the second side of the membrane, wherein the compressible structure presses the second compressible structure against the touch-sensitive surface so that the membrane is held substantially close to the touch-sensitive surface.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the wherein the compressible structure forms a waterproof seal between the membrane and the second housing portion

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the compressible structure is further configured to press the camera against a surface of the enclosure to prevent the camera from making unwanted movements within the enclosure.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the housing is waterproof.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure comprises

a first enclosure portion structured to receive the electronic device;

and

a second enclosure portion coupled to the first enclosure portion and configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the first enclosure portion, the enclosure enclosing the electronic device when the second enclosure portion is in the closed position, wherein the compressible structure is positioned between the first side of the membrane and a surface of the second enclosure portion.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein moving the second enclosure portion into the closed position brings the second side of the membrane into contact with the touch-sensitive surface.

18. A housing for an electronic device, comprising:

an enclosure structured to enclose the electronic device, the electronic device having a touch-sensitive surface;

a membrane having a first side external to the housing and a second side internal to the housing, the membrane configured to transfer touch interactions from the first side to the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device; and

a compressible structure positioned between the first side of the membrane and a surface of the enclosure, the compressible structure configured to press the membrane toward the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device.

19. The housing of claim 18, wherein the compressible structure presses the membrane against the touch-sensitive surface so that the second side of the membrane contacts the touch-sensitive surface.

20. The housing of claim 18, further comprising a second compressible structure positioned on the second side of the membrane, wherein the compressible structure presses the second compressible structure against the touch-sensitive surface so that the membrane is held substantially close to the touch-sensitive surface.

21. The housing of claim 18, wherein the wherein the compressible structure forms a waterproof seal between the membrane and the second housing portion

22. The housing of claim 18, wherein the compressible structure is further configured to press the camera against a surface of the enclosure to prevent the camera from making unwanted movements within the enclosure.

23. The housing of claim 18, wherein the housing is waterproof.

24. The housing of claim 18, wherein the enclosure comprises

a first enclosure portion structured to receive the electronic device;

and

a second enclosure portion coupled to the first enclosure portion and configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the first enclosure portion, the enclosure enclosing the electronic device when the second enclosure portion is in the closed position, wherein the compressible structure is positioned between the first side of the membrane and a surface of the second enclosure portion.

25. The housing of claim 18, wherein moving the second enclosure portion into the closed position brings the second side of the membrane into contact with the touch-sensitive surface.