Camera with Hall Effect Switch

• US 20140354880A1
• Filed: 06/03/2013
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Han, Amy Aimei
• Application Number:
  US13/908,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20140354880A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/376
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that can be worn by a user. The wearable camera includes one or more Hall effect switches that can be utilized to activate camera functionality. In at least some embodiments, the Hall effect switch or switches can comprise the only switches on the wearable camera. This can provide a high degree of waterproof protection for the camera.

Claims

1. A camera device comprising:

a housing;

a camera lens supported by the housing and configured to enable capture of image data;

a fastening device on the housing and configured to enable the camera device to be worn by a user;

one or more Hall effect switches configured to enable access to camera device functionality;

a processor configured to;

receive input from the one or more Hall effect switches;

responsive to receiving the input, access one or more camera functionalities, and

activate the one or more camera functionalities.

2. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to enter an automatic photo-capturing mode in which photos are automatically taken at one or more intervals.

3. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to take a photograph.

4. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to take a video.

5. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to perform a function other than capturing an image.

6. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the fastening device is configured to enable the camera device to be mounted on a user'"'"'s clothing.

7. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the fastening device is configured to enable the camera device to be mounted on a location other than a user'"'"'s clothing.

8. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, with a wearable camera, input by way of a Hall effect switch;

responsive to receiving said input, accessing a camera functionality; and

activating the camera functionality.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said camera functionality enables the camera device to enter an automatic photo-capturing mode in which photos are automatically taken at one or more intervals.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the camera functionality enables the camera device to take a photograph.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the camera functionality enables the camera device to take a video.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the camera functionality enables the camera device to perform a function other than capturing image.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the wearable camera is configured to be wearable on a user'"'"'s clothing.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the wearable camera is configured to be mounted on a location other than a user'"'"'s clothes.

15. A camera device comprising:

a housing;

a camera lens supported by the housing and configured to enable capture of image data;

one or more Hall effect switches configured to enable access to camera device functionality;

a processor configured to;

receive input from the one or more Hall effect switches;

responsive to receiving the input, access one or more camera functionalities, and

activate the one or more camera functionalities.

16. The camera device of claim 15, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to enter an automatic photo-capturing mode in which photos are automatically taken at one or more intervals.

17. The camera device of claim 15, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to take a photograph.

18. The camera device of claim 15, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to take a video.

19. The camera device of claim 15, wherein the camera device functionality enables the camera device to perform a function other than capturing an image.

20. The camera device of claim 15, wherein the camera device functionality enables a user to set a memory buffer size.