Portable remote camera control device

• US 7,706,673 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maria Chevere-Santos, Robert J. Staudinger, Ruijun Zhou
• Original Assignee: Maria Chevere-Santos, Robert J. Staudinger, Ruijun Zhou
• Inventors: Chevere-Santos, Maria, Zhou, Ruijun, Staudinger, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blackman; Rochelle-Ann J
• Application Number:
  US11/697,406
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 396/58, 396/59, 396/56, 396419-428, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/373, 348/376
• US Class Current: 396/58
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details

Abstract

A portable camera actuation system is disclosed that may be used for taking self-portraits. The system includes an extendable handle assembly that may be held by a user at a first end thereof, and a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly. The base unit is for receiving a camera mounted thereon. The system also includes a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, and a remote wireless signal receiver unit. The remote shutter transmitter unit is provided at a location that is remote from the camera. The wireless shutter signal receiver unit is coupled to the base unit and is for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

Claims

1. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon;

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera;

alignment means for permitting the user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject, wherein said alignment means includes a plurality of indicators that are viewable by the user while taking a self-portrait with the camera, and wherein said indicators each includes a light emitting diode; and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit is provided within a portion of said extendable handle.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system further includes a plurality of mirrors for providing that an image of the field of view of the camera is viewable by a user while taking a self-portrait.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plurality of mirrors are foldable upon one another when the system is not in use.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless shutter signal receiver unit is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

9. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon;

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera;

alignment means for permitting the user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject, wherein said alignment means includes a plurality of indicators that are viewable by the user while taking a self-portrait with the camera, and wherein said indicators each includes a Fresnel lens; and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit is provided within a portion of said extendable handle.

11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.

12. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said system further includes a plurality of mirrors for providing that an image of the field of view of the camera is viewable by a user while taking a self-portrait.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plurality of mirrors are foldable upon one another when the system is not in use.

14. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

15. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said wireless shutter signal receiver unit is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

16. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

17. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon;

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera;

a plurality of mirrors for providing that an image of the field of view of the camera is viewable by the user while taking a self-portrait; and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit is provided within a portion of said extendable handle.

19. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.

20. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said system further includes alignment means for permitting a user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

22. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said alignment means include a plurality of indicators that are viewable by the user while taking a self-portrait with the camera.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said indicators each include a light emitting diode.

24. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said indicators each include a Fresnel lens.

25. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said plurality of mirrors are foldable upon one another when the system is not in use.

26. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

27. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said wireless shutter signal receiver unit is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

28. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon;

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera; and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal, wherein said wireless shutter signal receiver unit is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

29. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit is provided within a portion of said extendable handle.

30. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.

31. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said system further includes alignment means for permitting a user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject.

32. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said alignment means include a plurality of indicators that are viewable by the user while taking a self-portrait with the camera.

33. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said indicators each include a light emitting diode.

34. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said indicators each include a Fresnel lens.

35. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

36. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said system further includes a plurality of mirrors for providing that an image of the field of view of the camera is viewable by a user while taking a self-portrait.

37. The system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said plurality of mirrors are foldable upon one another when the system is not in use.

38. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

39. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon;

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera;

alignment means for permitting the user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use; and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

40. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit is provided within a portion of said extendable handle.

41. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.

42. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said alignment means include a plurality of indicators that are viewable by the user while taking a self-portrait with the camera.

43. The system as claimed in claim 42, wherein said indicators each include a light emitting diode.

44. The system as claimed in claim 42, wherein said indicators each include a Fresnel lens.

45. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said system further includes a plurality of mirrors for providing that an image of the field of view of the camera is viewable by a user while taking a self-portrait.

46. The system as claimed in claim 45, wherein said plurality of mirrors are foldable upon one another when the system is not in use.

47. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

48. The system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said wireless shutter signal receiver unit is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

49. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon; and

alignment means for permitting the user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject by viewing a plurality of alignment indicators coupled to the base unit, wherein said alignment indicators each include a light emitting diode.

50. The system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

51. The system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

52. The system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said system further includes

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera;

and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

53. The system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said system remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.

54. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon; and

alignment means for permitting the user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject by viewing a plurality of alignment indicators coupled to the base unit, wherein said alignment indicators each includes a Fresnel lens.

55. The system as claimed in claim 54, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

56. The system as claimed in claim 54, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

57. The system as claimed in claim 54, wherein said system further includes

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera;

and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

58. The system as claimed in claim 54, wherein said system remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.

59. A portable camera actuation system for taking self-portraits, said system comprising:

an extendable handle assembly that is holdable by a user at a first end thereof;

a base unit coupled to a second end of said extendable handle assembly, said base unit for receiving a camera mounted thereon; and

alignment means for permitting the user of the system and a camera to verify proper alignment of the camera with respect to a subject by viewing a plurality of alignment indicators coupled to the base unit, wherein said alignment means is foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

60. The system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said alignment indicators each include a light emitting diode.

61. The system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said alignment indicators each include a Fresnel lens.

62. The system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said extendable handle is collapsible and foldable onto the base unit when the camera is not in use.

63. The system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said system further includes

a remote shutter transmitter unit for providing a wireless shutter signal, said remote shutter transmitter unit being provided at a location that is remote from the camera;

and

a wireless shutter signal receiver unit coupled to the base unit for providing actuation of an external shutter button on the camera responsive to the wireless shutter signal.

64. The system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said system remote shutter transmitter unit provides infrared signals to the wireless shutter signal receiver unit.