Portable multi position magnifier camera

• US 8,259,222 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2008
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freedom Scientific Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Freedom Scientific Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Carlos M., Murphy, Patrick, Tunkis, Waldemar, Davis, Brad, Conard, Todd, Hamilton, Lee, Goldenberg, Michael, McDaniel, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Selby, Gevell
• Application Number:
  US12/235,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20100026854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,443 Days
• Field of Search: 348/63, 348/240.99, 3482401-2403, 348/373
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19594 using a television camera or a still video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/043 Viewing the scanned area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0436 Scanning a picture-bearing surface lying face up on a support H04N2201/0434 takes precedence; using cylindrical picture bearing surfaces H04N1/06; with manual scanning H04N1/107
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/045 Mounting the scanning elements in a collapsible or foldable structure, e.g. for ease of transportation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera that can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations. At least four distinct viewing configurations are provided: a reading mode wherein the camera rests flatly upon the viewed object; a writing mode wherein the camera rests at an angle upon the viewed object; a hand-held mode wherein the user holds the camera relative to a distant object; and an inspection mode wherein the user holds the viewed object relative to the camera. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.

Claims

1. A multi position portable camera for magnifying an object, the camera comprising:

a cover having exterior and interior surfaces and a liquid crystal display (LCD) positioned within the interior surface;

a control panel pivotally connected to the cover, the control panel including a sliding control for selectively varying the magnification of the camera;

a camera housing having forward and rearward portions, upper and lower surfaces, the forward portion being pivotally connected to the control panel, the camera housing including a chamber formed within its lower surface, the chamber including a partially curved interior, a mirror positioned within the chamber for reflecting the image of the object being magnified, a sensor mounted within the chamber for sensing the image reflected by the mirror, the output of the sensor being viewable on the LCD with the magnification being selected via the sliding control, a light source and an associated light guide being positioned within the chamber, the light guide selectively controlling the amount of light received by the object;

a base being pivotally connected to the rearward portion of the camera housing, the base including two feet with a clearance space formed therebetween, wherein the base can be pivoted relative to the camera housing as to orient the object within the clearance space and beneath the chamber.

2. A magnifier camera comprising:

a cover including a display screen, the cover having opened and closed orientations;

a hinge pivotally connected to the cover;

a housing pivotally connected to the hinge, whereby the hinge permits the display screen to be oriented relative to the housing to accommodate the user;

a sensor assembly positioned within the housing and adapted to take images of objects positioned beneath the housing, wherein the images are thereafter displayed on the display screen;

a base pivotally connected to the housing, wherein a user can selectively pivot the base to thereby properly orient the object relative to the sensor assembly

a control panel for controlling one or more functions of the magnifier camera, the control panel being positioned upon the hinge and being accessible when the cover is in the opened orientation.

3. The magnifier camera as described in claim 2 wherein the base includes two feet that are separated by a clearance space and wherein the object is adapted to be positioned within the clearance space.

4. The magnifier camera as described in claim 2 wherein the sensor assembly includes at least one light source and an associated light guide and wherein the light guide controls the amount of light directed to the object.

5. The magnifier camera as described in claim 2 wherein the sensor assembly includes a mirror and wherein the sensor reads the image reflected from the mirror.

6. The magnifier camera as described in claim 2 wherein the sensor is positioned within a chamber that is designed to reflect light so as to illuminate the object with indirect lighting.

7. The camera as described in claim 2 wherein the hinge includes a sliding control for selectively cycling through various color combinations displayed by the display.

8. A camera device for blind or low vision users, the camera device comprising:

a camera housing and an interconnected writing stand;

a display screen interconnected to the camera housing for viewing images taken by the camera device;

the camera device having a first orientation wherein the writing stand is at an angle relative to the camera housing and a second orientation wherein the writing stand and the camera housing are co-planar;

wherein the camera housing is pivotally interconnected to the display screen by way of a control panel.

9. The camera device as described in claim 8 wherein the writing stand houses a power supply.

12. The camera device as described in claim 8 wherein the camera device is a magnifier camera and wherein a rheostat type control is included on the control panel.

10. A camera device for blind or low vision users, the camera device comprising:

a camera housing and an interconnected writing stand;

a display screen interconnected to the camera housing for viewing images taken by the camera device;

the camera device having a first orientation wherein the writing stand is at an angle relative to the camera housing and a second orientation wherein the writing stand and the camera housing are co-planar;

wherein alignment guides are formed within the camera housing and writing stand.

11. The camera device as described in claim 10 wherein the display screen can be pivoted to be in facing relation with the camera housing.