Sealed, waterproof digital electronic camera system and method of fabricating same
First Claim
1. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:
- a) a digital electronic camera having a lens, a charge coupled device, a rechargeable power source, an electronic storage device for storing pictures taken by said digital electronic camera in digital electronic form, control electronics, and a signal interface for downloading said pictures from said electronic storage device;
b) an enclosure means for hermetically sealing water and air tight and supporting said digital electronic camera within said enclosure means so that said lens is positioned normal to one wall of said enclosure means;
said enclosure means being transparent in at least an area of said lens so that pictures may be taken through said enclosure means;
said enclosure means being permanently and securely closeable;
c) means for recharging said rechargeable power source from a charger that comprises a primary coil around a ferrite or iron core, said recharging means comprising a secondary coil around a recess in the enclosure means configured to couple inductively to the primary coil when the charger is inserted into the recess external to said enclosure means; and
d) means for downloading pictures from said electronic storage device via said signal interface to a remote storage device external to said enclosure.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hermetically sealed digital electronic camera that is designed to operate both on land and underwater to great depths, and method of making same. The present invention is a camera which is hermetically sealed by being totally encapsulated, preferably by being cast in plastic, with no seals, holes, joints, penetrating pins, wires or other objects. Wireless means are used for communicating information, electrical power and control signals. The invention is impervious to atmospheric contamination and absolutely incapable of leaking under water to great depths and pressures. In an alternate embodiment camera optics are not encapsulated but are immersed in water when the encapsulated digital camera is placed in water.
47 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:
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a) a digital electronic camera having a lens, a charge coupled device, a rechargeable power source, an electronic storage device for storing pictures taken by said digital electronic camera in digital electronic form, control electronics, and a signal interface for downloading said pictures from said electronic storage device; b) an enclosure means for hermetically sealing water and air tight and supporting said digital electronic camera within said enclosure means so that said lens is positioned normal to one wall of said enclosure means;
said enclosure means being transparent in at least an area of said lens so that pictures may be taken through said enclosure means;
said enclosure means being permanently and securely closeable;c) means for recharging said rechargeable power source from a charger that comprises a primary coil around a ferrite or iron core, said recharging means comprising a secondary coil around a recess in the enclosure means configured to couple inductively to the primary coil when the charger is inserted into the recess external to said enclosure means; and d) means for downloading pictures from said electronic storage device via said signal interface to a remote storage device external to said enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of fabricating a waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising
a) obtaining a digital electronic camera having a lens, a charge coupled device, a rechargeable power source, an electronic storage device for storing pictures taken by said digital electronic camera in digital electronic form, control electronics, and a signal interface for downloading said pictures from said electronic storage device; -
b) providing an enclosure means for hermetically sealing water and air tight and supporting said digital electronic camera within said enclosure means so that said lens is positioned normal to one wall of said enclosure means;
said enclosure means being transparent in at least an area of said lens so that pictures may be taken through said enclosure means;
said enclosure means designed to be immersed to great depth within the ocean without crushing;c) obtaining a means for recharging said rechargeable power source from a charger that comprises a primary coil around a ferrite or iron core, said recharging means comprising a secondary coil around a recess in said enclosure means configured to couple inductively to the primary coil of the charger inserted into the recess external to said enclosure means; d) obtaining a means for downloading pictures from said electronic storage device via said signal interface to a remote storage device external to said enclosure means; e) installing said digital electronic camera within said enclosure means so that said lens is positioned normal to one wall of said enclosure means; f) installing said secondary coil around said recess formed in another wall of said enclosure configured for inductively coupling with said charger; g) installing said means for downloading adjacent another wall of said enclosure means for communication with said remote storage device; h) electrically connecting said means for recharging to said rechargeable power source; and i) electrically connecting said means for downloading to said signal interface. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification