Sealed, waterproof digital electronic camera system and method of fabricating same

• US 9,225,883 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2014
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nan Chang O-Film Optoelectronics Technology, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nan Chang O-Film Optoelectronics Technology, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kossin, Philip Smith
• Primary Examiner(s): Misleh, Justin P
• Application Number:
  US14/264,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20140362206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/06 Hermetically-sealed casings specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

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.

Claims

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 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 being transparent in at least an area of said lens so that pictures may be taken through said enclosure;

said enclosure means designed to be immersed to great depth within the ocean without crushing;

c) means for recharging said power source from a charger external to said enclosure; and

d) means for downloading pictures from said electronic storage device via said signal interface to a remote storage device external to said enclosure;

wherein said means for recharging is located within a cavity seamlessly sealed to the exterior of said enclosure means within a semi-rigid removable encapsulant that is configured to permit replacement and resealing of said rechargeable power source.

2. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:

a) a digital electronic camera including a lens, an image sensor, 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) a housing configured to hermetically seal therein said digital electronic camera water and air tight and to support therein said digital electronic camera so that said lens is fixed relative to at least one wall of said housing that comprises at least a first transparent area along an optical path defined by said lens and image sensor so that pictures may be taken through said first transparent area of said at least one wall of said housing, and wherein said housing being securely closeable;

c) wherein said rechargeable power source comprises a primary coil around a conducting core and is configured to gather charge from an external charger that comprises a secondary coil that is disposed outside of said housing when closed and hermetically sealed, wherein said secondary coil is configured to couple inductively with said primary coil to recharge the power source; and

d) wherein said signal interface is configured for downloading said pictures from said electronic storage device via said signal interface to a remote storage device disposed outside of said housing when closed and hermetically sealed;

wherein said rechargeable power source is located within a cavity seamlessly sealed to the exterior of said housing within a semi-rigid removable encapsulant that is configured to permit replacement and resealing of aid rechargeable power source.

3. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said conducting core comprises ferrite or iron.

4. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said signal interface is configured to convert signals to optical signals for optical transmission through a second transparent area of said housing.

5. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, further comprising a remote control configured to activate said control electronics from outside of said housing when closed and hermetically sealed.

6. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 5, wherein said remote control comprises a magnetic switch.

7. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said housing is configured to securely close around one or both of a fluid or gel.

8. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said rechargeable power source comprises:

a) a rectifier electrically coupled to the primary coil;

b) a charging circuit electrically connected to the rectifier and said rechargeable power source; and

c) a voltage regulator connected to said rechargeable power source to provide power to the digital electronic camera.

9. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, further comprising a connector coupled to said signal interface, and a magnetic switch.

10. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said primary coil is disposed within a recess defined at an outer surface of said housing.

11. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said rechargeable power source comprises:

a) a capacitor connected in parallel with said rechargeable power source;

b) a charging circuit electrically connected to said capacitor and said rechargeable power source; and

c) a voltage regulator connected to said rechargeable power source to provide power to the camera system.

12. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 11, further comprising a set of mating contacts, said set of mating contacts including a magnet configured to couple with said set of contacts.

13. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said signal interface comprises:

a) a set of contacts accessible at an outer surface of a wall of said housing;

b) a set of electrical connections connecting said set of electrical contacts with said signal interface; and

c) a magnetic switch.

14. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 13, further comprising a set of mating contacts comprising a magnet configured to couple with said set of contacts.

15. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said housing comprises a gas-free dielectric potting material molded to a selected shape.

16. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 15, wherein said dielectric potting material comprises one or more of silicone resin, epoxy resin, or polyurethane resin.

17. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 15, wherein said housing comprises a chamber filled with dry air that contains said lens.

18. A waterproof digital electronic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said housing comprises an integral box having an open side, and a lid configured to couple to and enclose said housing to provide said hermetic seal.

19. A method of fabricating a waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:

a) obtaining a digital electronic camera having a lens, an image sensor, an electronic storage device for storing pictures taken by said digital electronic camera in digital electronic form, and control electronics, and a signal interface for downloading said pictures from said electronic storage device;

b) forming a housing configured to hermetically seal therein said digital electronic camera water and air tight and to support therein said digital electronic camera so that said lens is fixed relative to at least one wall of said housing that comprises at least a first transparent area along an optical path defined by said lens and image sensor so that pictures may be taken through said first transparent area of said at least one wall of said housing, and wherein said housing being securely closeable;

c) coupling a rechargeable power source to said digital electronic camera that comprises a primary coil around a conducting core and is configured to gather charge from an external charger that comprises a secondary coil that is disposed outside of said housing when closed and hermetically sealed, wherein said secondary coil is configured to couple inductively with said primary coil to recharge the power source; and

d) coupling a signal interface to said digital electronic camera that is configured for downloading said pictures from said electronic storage device via said signal interface to a remote storage device disposed outside of said housing when closed and hermetically sealed;

e) providing said rechargeable power source within a cavity seamlessly sealed to the exterior of said housing within a semi-rigid removable encapsulant that is configured to permit replacement and resealing of said rechargeable power source.