Weatherproof and watertight digital electronic camera, including a solid or fluid-filled digital camera operating at great depths

• US 6,795,110 B1
• Filed: 06/15/1999
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nan Chang O-Film Optoelectronics Technology, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Philip Kossin
• Inventors: Kossin, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MISLEH, JUSTIN P
• Application Number:
  US09/333,825
• Time in Patent Office: 1,925 Days
• Field of Search: 348/81, 348/164, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 396/25, 396/29
• US Class Current: 348/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A digital electronic camera is hermetically sealed in a housing, typically inexpensive clear plastic. Digital electrical signals for downloading image information from the camera are converted to radio or, more preferably, infrared optical signals. These signals are communicated through the radiation-transparent housing to an external radio transceiver or infrared adapter connected to a personal computer. The bi-directional pc-to-camera communication is typically completely opaque to the picture-capturing pc and to its operating software. Electrical operation of the digital camera'"'"'s shutter circuit is through the sealed housing by manually moving a magnet relative to an internal sensor, typically a Hall-effect sensor or a reed switch. Recharging a power source—normally a battery—for the digital camera and all associated circuitry within the sealed housing transpires by inductively inducing an alternating current in an coil internal to the housing, with subsequent rectification and conditioning of this current. The entire housing may be filled with liquid, preferably mineral oil or ethyl alcohol, to permit usage of the digital electronic camera at great depth.

Claims

1. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:

a digital electronic camera having an RS-232 digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera;

a converter converting signals upon the digital electrical signal interface to serial signals radiating in space;

an enclosure hermetically sealing water and air tight both the digital electronic camera and the converter, the enclosure being transparent in at least an area of (i) an optical lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the enclosure, and (ii) a radiation signal output of the converter so that radiation signals containing image information are communicable exterior to the camera;

said converter comprising;

an RS-232 to TTL signal converter converting RS-232 serial digital electrical signals to Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) serial digital electrical signals;

an encoder-decoder converting the TTL electrical signals to electrical signals that are suitably encoded so as to be converted to optical signals for further transmission; and

an electrical-to-optical signal converter converting the encoded electrical signals to optical signals, and transmitting the optical signals through the at least one transparent area of the enclosure.

2. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:

a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera;

said camera having a shutter circuit for activating the shutter, to which shutter circuit electrical connection may suitably be made;

a converter converting signals from the digital electrical signal interface to radiation signals;

an enclosure hermetically sealing water and air tight both the digital electronic camera and the converter, the enclosure being transparent in at least an area of (i) an optical lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the enclosure, and (ii) a radiation signal output of the converter so that radiation signals containing image information are communicable exterior to the camera;

a trigger circuit, also within the enclosure and electrically connected to the shutter circuit of the digital electronic camera, responsive to a stimulus external to the enclosure to produce an electrical signal responsively to which the shutter circuit will activate the shutter of the digital electronic camera;

said trigger circuit comprising;

a Hall-effect sensor responsive to a magnetic field to produce a signal output; and

an amplifier amplifying the signal output of the Hall-effect sensor for application to the shutter circuit as the electrical signal responsively to which the shutter circuit will activate the shutter of the digital electronic camera.

3. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:

a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera;

said camera having a shutter circuit for activating the shutter, to which shutter circuit electrical connection may suitably be made;

a converter converting signals from the digital electrical signal interface to radiation signals;

an enclosure hermetically sealing water and air tight both the digital electronic camera and the converter, the enclosure being transparent in at least an area of (i) an optical lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the enclosure, and (ii) a radiation signal output of the converter so that radiation signals containing image information are communicable exterior to the camera;

a trigger circuit, also within the enclosure and electrically connected to the shutter circuit of the digital electronic camera, responsive to a stimulus external to the enclosure to produce an electrical signal responsively to which the shutter circuit will activate the shutter of the digital electronic camera; and

said trigger circuit comprising;

a reed switch responsive to a magnetic field to gate an electrical signal responsively to which the shutter circuit will activate the shutter of the digital electronic camera.

4. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:

a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera;

a converter converting signals from the digital electrical signal interface to radiation signals;

an enclosure hermetically sealing water and air tight both the digital electronic camera and the converter, the enclosure being transparent in at least an area of (i) an optical lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the enclosure, and (ii) a radiation signal output of the converter so that radiation signals containing image information are communicable exterior to the camera;

a rechargeable power source for providing power to at least the digital electronic camera and the converter; and

a charging circuit, also within the enclosure, for converting some stimuli external to the enclosure to power suitable to recharge the rechargeable power source.

5. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 4 wherein the rechargeable power source comprises:

a battery.

6. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 5 wherein the battery is located within a cavity sealed to the exterior of the camera by a frangible membrane;

wherein the membrane may be broken, the battery replaced, and the cavity resealed.

7. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 4 wherein the charging circuit comprises:

an inductive coil in which alternating current is induced by an oscillatory magnetic field external to the enclosure;

a bridge rectifier rectifying the alternating current of the inductive coil to produce a direct current; and

a regulating and charging circuit conditioning the direct current into power to charge the rechargeable power source.

8. A method of communicating with a sealed digital electronic camera comprising:

hermetically housing a digital electronic camera having an RS232 serial digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera in a housing that is optically transparent in at least an area of a lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the housing;

converting signals upon the RS232 serial digital electrical signal interface of the digital electronic camera to radiation signals by the steps of;

first-converting RS-232 serial digital electrical signals to Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) serial digital electrical signals in a RS-232 to TTL signal converter;

second-converting the TTL electrical signals to electrical signals that are suitably encoded so as to be converted to optical signals for further transmission in an encoder-decoder; and

third-converting the encoded electrical signals to optical signals, and transmitting the optical signals through the enclosure, in an electrical-to-optical signal converter; and

radiatively communicating the radiation signals through the housing.

9. A method of communicating with a sealed digital electronic camera comprising:

hermetically housing a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera in a housing that is optically transparent in at least an area of a lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the housing;

converting signals upon the digital electrical signal interface of the digital electronic camera to radiation signals;

radiatively communicating the radiation signals through the housing;

activating a shutter in and by a shutter circuit to which electrical connection may suitably be made; and

triggering the shutter circuit in and by a trigger circuit, also within the enclosure and electrically connected to the shutter circuit of the digital electronic camera, responsive to a stimulus external to the housing;

wherein the triggering of the shutter circuit is in and by a Hall-effect trigger circuit.

10. A method of communicating with a sealed digital electronic camera comprising:

hermetically housing a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera in a housing that is optically transparent in at least an area of a lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the housing;

converting signals upon the digital electrical signal interface of the digital electronic camera to radiation signals;

radiatively communicating the radiation signals through the housing;

activating a shutter in and by a shutter circuit to which electrical connection may suitably be made; and

triggering the shutter circuit in and by a trigger circuit, also within the enclosure and electrically connected to the shutter circuit of the digital electronic camera, responsive to a stimulus external to the housing;

wherein the triggering of the shutter circuit is in and by a reed switch trigger circuit.

11. A method of communicating with a sealed digital electronic camera comprising:

hermetically housing a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera in a housing that is optically transparent in at least an area of a lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the housing;

converting signals upon the digital electrical signal interface of the digital electronic camera to radiation signals;

radiatively communicating the radiation signals through the housing;

providing power to at least the digital electronic camera with a rechargeable power source; and

converting some stimulus external to the enclosure into power to recharge the rechargeable power source.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the converting comprises:

inducing an alternating current in an inductive coil inside the housing;

rectifying in a bridge rectifier the alternating current of the inducing to produce a direct current; and

regulating and conditioning the direct current into power to charge the rechargeable power source.

13. A digital electronic camera CHARACTERIZED IN THAT:

the optics and electronics of the camera are permanently within a solid mass of optically clear dielectric material;

the camera is potted inside and out in a solid block of said optically clear dielectric material;

the camera contains essentially no gases whatsoever; and

communication of image data from the camera to the exterior of the solid mass is via an optical link;

wherein the camera may suitably be immersed to a depth of at least a mile within the ocean without crushing.

14. A digital electronic camera CHARACTERIZED IN THAT:

the optics and electronics of the camera are permanently within a solid mass of optically clear dielectric material;

the camera is potted inside and out in a solid block of said optically clear dielectric material;

the camera contains essentially no gases whatsoever; and

communication of an actuation signal to a shutter of the camera is via a magnetic link;

wherein the camera may suitably be immersed to a depth of at least a mile within the ocean without crushing.

15. A digital electronic camera CHARACTERIZED IN THAT:

the optics and electronics of the camera are permanently within a solid mass of optically clear dielectric material;

the camera is potted inside and out in a solid block of said optically clear dielectric material;

the camera contains essentially no gases whatsoever; and

communication of power to the camera is via inductive coupling;

wherein the camera may suitably be immersed to a depth of at least a mile within the ocean without crushing.

16. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:

a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera;

a converter converting signals from the digital electrical signal interface to radiation signals;

wherein the converter is converting signals from the digital electrical signal interface to serial signals radiating in space;

a shutter circuit for activating the shutter, to which shutter circuit electrical connection may suitably be made;

a trigger circuit, also within the enclosure and electrically connected to the shutter circuit of the digital electronic camera, responsive to a stimulus external to the enclosure to produce an electrical signal responsively to which the shutter circuit will activate the shutter of the digital electronic camera;

a rechargeable power source for providing power to at least the digital electronic camera and the converter;

a charging circuit, also within the enclosure, for converting some stimuli external to the enclosure to recharge the rechargeable power source; and

an enclosure hermetically sealing water and air tight both the digital electronic camera and the converter, the enclosure being transparent in at least an area of (i) an optical lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the enclosure, and (ii) a radiation signal output of the converter so that radiation signals containing image information are communicable exterior to the enclosure.

17. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 16

wherein the digital electronic camera has an RS-232 serial digital electrical signal interface; and

wherein the converter is converting signals from the RS-232 serial digital electrical signal interface to serial signals radiating in space.

18. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 17 wherein the converter comprises:

an RS-232 to TTL signal converter converting RS-232 serial digital electrical signals to Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) serial digital electrical signals;

an encoder-decoder converting the TTL electrical signals to electrical signals that are suitably encoded so as to be converted to optical signals for further transmission; and

an electrical-to-optical signal converter converting the encoded electrical signals to optical signals, and transmitting the optical signals through the at least one transparent area of the enclosure.

19. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 16 wherein the trigger circuit comprises:

a Hall-effect sensor responsive to a magnetic field to produce a signal output; and

an amplifier amplifying the signal output of the Hall-effect sensor for application to the shutter circuit as the electrical signal responsively to which the shutter circuit will activate the shutter of the digital electronic camera.

20. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 16 wherein the trigger circuit comprises:

a reed switch responsive to a magnetic field to gate an electrical signal responsively to which the shutter circuit will activate the shutter of the digital electronic camera.

21. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 16 wherein the rechargeable power source comprises:

a battery.

22. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 21

wherein the battery is located within a cavity sealed to the exterior of the camera by a frangible membrane;

wherein the membrane may be broken, the battery replaced, and the cavity resealed.

23. The waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 16 wherein the charging circuit comprises:

an inductive coil in which alternating current is induced by an oscillatory magnetic field external to the enclosure;

a bridge rectifier rectifying the alternating current of the inductive coil to produce a direct current; and

a regulating and charging circuit conditioning the direct current into power to charge the rechargeable power source.

24. A method of communicating with a sealed digital electronic camera comprising:

hermetically housing a digital electronic camera having a digital electrical signal interface for downloading image information from the camera in a housing that is optically transparent in at least an area of a lens of the digital electronic camera so that pictures may be taken through the housing;

converting signals from the digital electrical signal interface of the digital electronic camera to radiation signals; and

radiatively communicating the radiation signals through the housing;

first-converting RS-232 serial digital electrical signals to Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) serial digital electrical signals in a RS-232 to TTL signal converter;

second-converting the TTL electrical signals to electrical signals that are suitably encoded so as to be converted to optical signals for further transmission in an encoder-decoder;

third-converting the encoded electrical signals to optical signals, and transmitting the optical signals through the enclosure, in an electrical-to-optical signal converter,

activating a shutter in and by a shutter circuit to which electrical connection may suitably be made;

triggering the shutter circuit in and by a trigger circuit, also within the enclosure and electrically connected to the shutter circuit of the digital electronic camera, responsive to a stimulus external to the housing

providing power to at least the digital electronic camera with a rechargeable power source;

converting some stimulus external to the enclosure into power to recharge the rechargeable power source.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the converting comprises:

inducing an alternating current in an inductive coil inside the housing;

rectifying in a bridge rectifier the alternating current of the inducing to produce a direct current; and

regulating and conditioning the direct current into power to charge the rechargeable power source.

26. The method according to claim 24 further wherein the triggering of the shutter circuit is in and by a Hall-effect trigger circuit.

27. The method according to claim 24 further wherein the triggering of the shutter circuit is in and by a reed switch trigger circuit.

28. A digital electronic camera CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the optics and electronics of the camera are permanently within a solid mass of optically clear dielectric material, and the camera contains essentially no gases whatsoever;

wherein the camera may suitably be immersed to a depth of at least a mile within the ocean without crushing;

wherein the camera is potted inside and out in a solid block of said optically clear dielectric material;

wherein the camera is within an optically clear liquid dielectric material;

wherein the camera and its liquid are held within a liquid-tight exterior case that is itself optically clear in at least a region where an image is received through the case and into a lens of the camera;

wherein image data is communicated from the camera to the exterior of the solid mass;

wherein an actuation signal is communicated to a shutter of the camera from the exterior of the solid mass;

wherein the power source for the camera is rechargeable; and

wherein power is communicated to the power source from the exterior of the solid mass.

29. The digital electronic camera according to claim 28 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said optically clear liquid dielectric material is ethanol.

30. The digital electronic camera according to claim 28 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT communication of the image data is via an optical link.

31. The digital electronic camera according to claim 28 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT communication of the actuation signal is via a magnetic link.

32. The digital electronic camera according to claim 28 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT communication of power to the power source is via inductive coupling.