Temporary conversion of a video conferencing camera into a digital camera

• US 6,611,284 B2
• Filed: 04/03/1998
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Lourie, David S., Cooper, Fred J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LUONG TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/054,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,971 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207, 348/15, 348/341, 348/373, 348/376, 348/552, 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/14.08
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00286 with studio circuitry, devices or equipment, e.g. television cameras television studio circuitry, devices or equipment per se H04N5/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00299 with a television transmission apparatus, e.g. a videophone, a teletext system or a digital television system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/007 Selecting or switching between a still picture apparatus or function and another apparatus or function H04N2201/0022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

A camera converter is disclosed. The camera converter includes a number electronic components that operate to selectively generate digital still images responsive to user controls using video signals received from a removably attached video conferencing camera, which includes a lens and a first communication interface. The camera further includes a housing that operates to enclose the electronic components, and to removably accept the video conferencing camera. The housing in particular includes a view finder that is optically coordinated with the lens of the video conferencing camera, a second communication interface that mates with the first communication interface of the video conferencing camera, and user input mechanisms for providing said user controls.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of electronic components coupled to each other that operate to selectively generate digital still images responsive to user controls using video signals received from a removably attached video conferencing camera having a lens and a first communication interface; and

(b) a housing that operates to enclose the electronic components, and to removably accept the video conferencing camera, the housing further having an optical view finder that is optically coordinated with said lens of the video conferencing camera, a second communication interface that mates with the first communication interface of the video conferencing camera, and user input mechanisms for providing said user controls.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the optical view finder of the apparatus is optically coordinated with the lens of the video conferencing camera to enable a user to see visual images that are visually equivalent to visual images seen by the video conferencing camera.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a storage medium for storing the generated digital still images.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a removable storage medium.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a fixed storage medium.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the apparatus further includes a third communication interface that operates to couple the apparatus to a computer to facilitate downloading of the stored still images to the computer.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes one or more visual displays that operate to provide user feedback to a user.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the apparatus further includes a storage medium for storing the generated digital still images, and the one or more visual displays include a visual display that operates to display a cumulative count of the number of digital still images stored.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a battery receptacle that operates to receive one or more battery to supply power to the electronic components of the apparatus and the video conferencing camera.

10. A camera kit comprising:

a) a video conferencing camera to be attached to a computer to facilitate conduct of a video conference by the computer for a user of the computer; and

b) a converter that operates to removably receive the video conferencing camera when it is not attached to a computer and functionally convert the video conferencing camera into a digital camera that operates to generate digital still images, and having an optical view finder that is optically coordinated with a lens of the video conferencing camera.

11. The camera kit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the converter comprises:

(b.1) a plurality of electronic components coupled to each other that operate to selectively generate the digital still images response to user controls using video signals received from the removably attached video conferencing camera which includes a first communication interface; and

(b.2) a housing that operates to enclose the electronic components, and to removably accept the video conferencing camera, the housing further having a second communication interface that mates with the first communication interface of the video conferencing camera, and user input mechanisms for providing said user controls.

12. The camera kit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the converter further includes a storage medium for storing the generated digital still images.

13. The camera kit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the converter further includes one or more visual displays that operate to provide user feedback to a user.

14. The camera kit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the converter further includes a battery receptacle that operates to receive one or more battery to supply power to the electronic components of the apparatus and the video conferencing camera.