Modular binocular electronic imaging system
First Claim
1. A reconfigurable, portable electronic imaging system comprising:
- a base imaging subsystem comprising an electronic system control means and a viewfinder mounted within a main housing;
a plurality of module connector ports positioned on said main housing and coupled to said electronic system control means;
a display module connected to one of said plurality of ports which is detachable from the exterior of said main housing; and
a plurality of optional image processing system modules which are each individually detachable from the exterior of said main housing, and when attached to the main housing, are connected to said plurality of ports, wherein each of said optional system modules produce an image from a different image source which said base imaging subsystem reimages for viewing by a system user with said viewfinder, and wherein said display module comprises a display means for generating an image within said main housing, and said viewfinder comprises a means for producing an intermediate image of the generated image, and a means for reimaging the intermediate image to produce an apparent field of view of at least 40°
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable, electronic imaging system (100) includes a compact housing (102) extending across and beyond the eyes of the user, a wide field of view binocular viewfinder imaging subsystem (104) operating on an image produced by an electronic display subsystem (104) located within the housing, speakers (106) integrally mounted with the housing, an internal, interactive electronic control subsystem (108) to control the functions of the system, and an external input/output interface (110) to facilitate connection with a plurality of optional external devices and/or modules. The housing may further provide for modular mounting and removal of a plurality of optional system modules such as the electronic camera (120), a video tape record and playback device and battery (122), the electronic display (118), a night vision camera, a television tuner, a video game electronic system, a head orientation and position tracking device, or a means for mounting the system on the user'"'"'s head.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable, portable electronic imaging system comprising:
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a base imaging subsystem comprising an electronic system control means and a viewfinder mounted within a main housing; a plurality of module connector ports positioned on said main housing and coupled to said electronic system control means; a display module connected to one of said plurality of ports which is detachable from the exterior of said main housing; and a plurality of optional image processing system modules which are each individually detachable from the exterior of said main housing, and when attached to the main housing, are connected to said plurality of ports, wherein each of said optional system modules produce an image from a different image source which said base imaging subsystem reimages for viewing by a system user with said viewfinder, and wherein said display module comprises a display means for generating an image within said main housing, and said viewfinder comprises a means for producing an intermediate image of the generated image, and a means for reimaging the intermediate image to produce an apparent field of view of at least 40°
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An electronic binocular imaging system comprising:
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a portable housing; means mounted to said housing for generating an electronic signal representative of scenery external to said housing, wherein said means for generating an electronic signal comprises a first subsystem module having a video and audio subsystem mounted thereon; an electronic display means supported by said housing for displaying an image representative of said electronically generated signal within said housing, wherein said display means comprises a second subsystem module having a means for reproducing the electronic signal as an image, wherein said housing comprises a first and second external port connector means which permits removable coupling of said first and second modules from the exterior of said portable housing; and a binocular viewfinder oriented with respect to said housing to permit viewing within said housing by both eves of a user from a position external to said housing, wherein said binocular viewfinder reimages said displayed image for viewing by both eyes, said binocular viewfinder comprising imaging means for producing an apparent field of view of at least 40°
. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. An electronic binocular imaging system comprising:
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a portable housing, wherein said portable housing comprises a plurality of module connector ports which permit detachable connection of a corresponding plurality of optional system modules from the exterior of said portable housing; means mounted to said housing for generating an electronic signal representative of scenery external to said housing; an electronic display means supported by said housing for displaying an image representative of said electronically generated signal within said housing; and a binocular viewfinder oriented with respect to said housing to permit viewing within said housing by both eyes of a user from a position external to said housing, wherein said binocular viewfinder reimages said displayed image for viewing, by both eyes, said binocular viewfinder comprising imaging means for producing an apparent field of view of at least 40°
. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An electronic binocular imaging system comprising:
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a portable housing, wherein said portable housing provides a waterproof assembly, and said housing is formed with a cavity to cause floatation; means mounted to said housing for generating an electronic signal representative of scenery external to said housing; an electronic display means supported by said housing for displaying an image representative of said electronically generated signal within said housing; and a binocular viewfinder oriented with respect to said housing to permit viewing within said housing by both eyes of a user from a position external to said housing, wherein said binocular viewfinder reimages said displayed image for viewing by both eyes, said binocular viewfinder comprising imaging means for producing an apparent field of view of at least 40°
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28. An electronic binocular imaging system comprising:
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a portable housing; means mounted to said housing for generating an electronic signal representative of scenery external to said housing; an electronic display means supported by said housing for displaying an image representative of said electronically generated signal within said housing; a binocular viewfinder oriented with respect to said housing to permit viewing within said housing by both eyes of a user from a position external to said housing, wherein said binocular viewfinder reimages said displayed image for viewing by both eyes, said binocular viewfinder comprising imaging means for producing an apparent field of view of at least 40°
; andmeans for tracking the user'"'"'s head movements and orientation.
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29. An electronic binocular imaging system comprising:
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a portable housing; means mounted to said housing for generating an electronic signal representative of scenery external to said housing; an electronic display means supported by said housing for displaying an image representative of said electronically generated signal within said housing; a binocular viewfinder oriented with respect to said housing to permit viewing within said housing by both eyes of a user from a position external to said housing, wherein said binocular viewfinder reimages said displayed image for viewing by both eyes, said binocular viewfinder comprising imaging means for producing an apparent field of view of at least 40°
; andmeans for tracking the physical orientation of said system relative to a fixed reference point.
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Specification