Head-mounted face image capturing devices and systems

• US 8,573,866 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason R. Bond
• Original Assignee: Jason R. Bond
• Inventors: Bond, Jason R., Staple, David W., Bond, Michelle
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rhodes, Jr., Leon W
• Application Number:
  US13/365,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20120263449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 396/420
• US Class Current: 396/420
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/48 adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/54 with projector
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

The present invention provides head-mounted systems and devices for capturing an image of a user'"'"'s face. In particular, the present invention provides systems and devices comprising: a) a head-mounted frame component configured to be mounted on the head of a user (e.g., hat, head band, glasses, goggles, etc.) and b) an extending component that is moveable between a first position in or adjacent to the head-mounted frame component and a second position non-adjacent to the head-mounted frame component that allows a camera (or mirror) on the extending component to capture an image (e.g., picture or video) of the user'"'"'s face.

Claims

1. A device for capturing an image of a user'"'"'s face comprising:

a) a head-mounted frame component configured to be mounted on the head of a user; and

b) an extending component connected to said head-mounted frame component,

wherein said extending component comprises;

i) a main rod,

ii) a housing component attached to said main rod,

iii) a camera located in or attached to said housing component;

wherein said extending component is moveable between;

a first position in or adjacent to said head-mounted frame component, wherein said first position allows said camera to capture what said user is seeing, and

a second position non-adjacent to said head-mounted frame component, wherein said second position allows said camera to capture an image of said user'"'"'s face when said head-mounted frame component is attached to said head of said user.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing component hinge, wherein said housing component is attached to said main rod via said housing component hinge.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said main rod comprises a camera casing recess configured to allow said housing component and camera to pivot therein via said housing component hinge.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one lens, wherein said at least one lens is attached to said head-mounted frame component, and is configured to at least partially cover said user'"'"'s eye when said device is mounted on said user'"'"'s head.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a projection device configured to project an image onto or into said at least one lens such that it can be seen by said user.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said second position places said camera at least 4 inches away from said user'"'"'s face.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said extending component is hingedly connected to said head-mounted frame component.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one eye tracking device configured to track eye movement and/or blinks.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a communication element, wherein said communication element is configured to wirelessly transmit images of said user and/or receive data from an outside source.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said communication element is configured to transmit and receive data from a video game console or gaming computer.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said head-mounted frame component comprises a left frame arm and a right frame arm, and wherein said left or said right frame arm comprises a speaker configured to direct sound to said user'"'"'s ear.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a light or microphone located on said main rod adjacent to said camera.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a wide-angle lens.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a web-cam.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said head-mounted frame component comprises a main rod frame recess.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said first position is within said main rod frame recess.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a telescoping internal rod that is configured to extend from within said main rod.

18. A system for capturing an image of a user'"'"'s face comprising:

a) a head-mounted frame component configured to be mounted on the head of a user; and

b) an extending component connected to said head-mounted frame component,

wherein said extending component comprises;

i) a main rod,

ii) a housing component attached to said main rod,

iii) a camera located in or attached to said housing component;

wherein said extending component is moveable between;

a first position in or adjacent to said head-mounted frame component, wherein said first position allows said camera to capture what said user is seeing, and

a second position non-adjacent to said head-mounted frame component, wherein said second position allows said camera to capture an image of said user'"'"'s face when said head-mounted frame component is attached to said head of said user.