Interface device for extending camcorder use over the electromagnetic spectrum

• US 7,050,107 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2001
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc. (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Indigo Systems Corporation (Telecom Eireann)
• Inventors: Frank, Jeffrey D., Heath, Jeffrey Lynn, Fitzgibbons, Eugene Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LUONG TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/905,006
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: 348/372, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/376, 348/143, 348/144, 348/148, 348/211.1, 396/325, 396/329, 386/117, 358/906, 358/909.1
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/20 for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

An interface device connects a camcorder to a camera operating in the non-visible electromagnetic spectrum to form a portable unitary system. The interface device provides a mechanical connection between the camcorder and the camera. A video cable carries video image data from the camera to the camcorder. A control connection additionally may be provided between the camcorder and the camera through the interface device, to allow the camera to be controlled through controls on the camcorder itself. A power connection may be provided between the camcorder and the camera through the interface device, to allow the camera to draw power from the camcorder.

Claims

1. An interface device for connecting a camera that captures video images in the non-visible electromagnetic spectrum to a camcorder, the camcorder having a hot shoe, the camera having a connector, comprising:

a mechanical interconnect adapted to couple the camera to the camcorder and further adapted to provide power to the camera via the hot shoe, wherein a portable video imaging system is formed and wherein the mechanical interconnect comprises;

a baseplate having a bottom surface to which the camera is secured;

an upper plate connected to and spaced apart from said bottom surface of said baseplate, wherein said upper plate comprises a rear flange extending substantially upward therefrom and having a cutout therethrough; and

a mount extending from said baseplate, said mount connectable to the hot shoe.

2. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a first connector attached to said rear flange, said first connector connectable to the connector on the camera.

3. The interface device of claim 2, further comprising a casing attached to said baseplate, said casing partially enclosing said first connector.

4. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a video cable extending between the camera and the camcorder.

5. The interface device of claim 4, wherein said baseplate further comprises:

an outer wall;

an aperture in said outer wall; and

a curved passageway adjacent said aperture;

wherein said video cable extends through the space between the camera and said baseplate, through said curved passageway and through said aperture in said outer wall.

6. The interface device of claim 1, wherein

said mount further comprises an upper platform,

said baseplate further comprises an aperture therethrough, and

said mount extends through said aperture to position said upper platform between said bottom surface of said baseplate and said upper plate, said upper platform trapped therebetween to secure said mount to said baseplate.

7. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of posts extending upward from said bottom surface.

8. The interface device of claim 7, wherein each said post comprises an aperture therethrough and the camera includes apertures corresponding to said apertures in said posts, further comprising a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through one aperture and into the camera, whereby the camera is secured to said baseplate.

9. The interface device of claim 7, wherein each said post comprises an aperture therethrough, and said upper plate comprises apertures corresponding to said apertures in said posts, the interface device further comprising a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through one aperture of the post and into the camera.

10. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a power connection between said mount and the camera.

11. The interface device of claim 10, wherein said power connection comprises a wire contained entirely within the interface device.

12. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a control cable extending between the camera and the camcorder.

13. The interface device of claim 12, wherein said control cable is contained entirely within the interface device.

14. The interface device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said mechanical interconnect is integral to the camera.

15. An interface device for connecting a camera that captures video images in the non-visible electromagnetic spectrum to a camcorder, the camcorder having a hot shoe, the camera having a connector, comprising:

a mount comprising a hot shoe mount connectable to the hot shoe;

a baseplate secured to said mount, said baseplate comprising

a bottom surface,

an outer wall, and

an aperture in said outer wall;

an upper plate connected to and spaced apart from said bottom surface of said baseplate, said upper plate comprising a rear flange extending therefrom, said rear flange comprising a cutout therethrough, wherein said camera is secured to said upper plate;

a first connector attached to said rear flange, said first connector connectable to the connector on the camera;

a video cable extending from said first connector attached to said rear flange through the space between said upper plate and said bottom surface of said baseplate, and through said aperture in said outer wall; and

a power cable connecting said hot shoe mount to said first connector attached to said rear flange.

16. A system for recording video images comprising:

a camera that captures the video images in the non-visible electromagnetic spectrum;

a camcorder having a hot shoe and adapted to capture video images in the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and

an interface device that mechanically and electrically connects said camera to said camcorder such that the camcorder selectively records the video images in the non-visible electromagnetic spectrum from the camera or the video images in the visible electromagnetic spectrum of the camcorder, with power provided from the camcorder to the camera via the hot shoe.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said camera captures video images in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said interface device further comprises a power connection between said camera and said camcorder to provide additional power from the camcorder to the camera.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein said interface device further comprises a video data connection between said camera and said camcorder routed through the interface device.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein said interface device further comprises a control signal connection between said camera and said camcorder.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the interface device further comprises:

a hot shoe mount adapted to couple to the hot shoe; and

an interface plate coupled to the hot shoe mount and adapted to securely connect to the camera.