Camera housing with integrated expansion module
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A camera system comprising:
- a camera comprising a hinge groove positioned near a first edge of a back surface of the camera and an electrical groove positioned near a second edge of the back surface of the camera opposite the first edge, the electrical groove comprising a first portion of an electrical interface; and
an expansion module to detachably couple to the camera, the expansion module comprising a hinge connector positioned near a first edge of a surface of the expansion module and an electrical connector protruding from the surface of the expansion module near a second edge opposite the first edge, the hinge connector structured to couple with the hinge groove and the electrical connector structured to couple with the electrical groove, the electrical connector comprising a second portion of the electrical interface to enable communication between the camera and the expansion module when coupled.
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Abstract
A camera housing includes an integrated expansion module for providing expanded functionality to a camera (e.g., a display screen). Different embodiments of the housing include different expansion modules for adding a variety of features to the camera when the camera is placed in the housing. Thus, a user may modify features of a camera by swapping the housing. Furthermore, a user may add a feature to an existing camera without needing to purchase a new camera.
95 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A camera system comprising:
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a camera comprising a hinge groove positioned near a first edge of a back surface of the camera and an electrical groove positioned near a second edge of the back surface of the camera opposite the first edge, the electrical groove comprising a first portion of an electrical interface; and an expansion module to detachably couple to the camera, the expansion module comprising a hinge connector positioned near a first edge of a surface of the expansion module and an electrical connector protruding from the surface of the expansion module near a second edge opposite the first edge, the hinge connector structured to couple with the hinge groove and the electrical connector structured to couple with the electrical groove, the electrical connector comprising a second portion of the electrical interface to enable communication between the camera and the expansion module when coupled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An expansion module for a camera, the expansion module comprising:
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a support surface of the expansion module structured to at least partially contact a back surface of a camera; a hinge connector positioned near a first edge of the support surface of the expansion module, the hinge connector comprising a hook connector, the hinge connector structured to couple with a reciprocal hinge groove near a first edge of the back surface of the camera; and an electrical connector protruding from the support surface of the expansion module near a second edge opposite the first edge of the surface of the expansion module, the electrical connector structure to couple with an electrical groove in the back surface of the camera near a second edge of the camera opposite the first edge of the camera, the electrical connector to enable communication between the camera and the expansion module when coupled. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22)
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19. An expansion module for a camera, the expansion module comprising:
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a rigid supporting means for at least partially contacting a back surface of a camera; a hinge connecting means positioned near a first edge of the rigid supporting means, the hinge connecting means structured to couple with a reciprocal hinge groove near a first edge of the back surface of the camera; and an electrical connecting means for enabling electrical communication between the camera and the expansion module when coupled, the electrical connecting means protruding from the surface of the expansion module near a second edge opposite the first edge of the surface of the expansion module, the electrical connecting means for coupling with an electrical groove in the back surface of the camera near a second edge of the camera opposite the first edge of the camera. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification