Mobile video-interpreting mounting system

• US 20050264649A1
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Wu, George, Oakes, David, Chang, Calvin, Chason, Robert, Kurywchak, Daniel, Nesbitt, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/093,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264649A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/00 Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups A61G1/00 - A61G11/00, e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or food service or tea-tables, trolleys or wagons A47B31/00; Prescription lists
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A device attaches a videoconferencing device to a mobile support structure to create a mobile videoconferencing apparatus for use in video-based interpretation of communications between a health care provider and a patient. A related system includes a attachment portion and a bracket apparatus fitted to receive and secure the attachment portion and support a videoconferencing device for receiving videoconferencing signals sent by an interpreter to a patient responsive to communications between the patient and a health care provider on a mobile support structure.

Claims

1. A system for attaching a videoconferencing device to a mobile support structure, the system comprising:

a attachment portion; and

a bracket apparatus fitted to receive and secure the attachment portion and configured to mount the videoconferencing device on a mobile support structure, the videoconferencing device comprising an integrated display, microphone, camera, and network interface, the network interface for receiving videoconferencing signals sent by an interpreter to a patient responsive to communications between the patient and a health care provider.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket apparatus is attached to the mobile support structure and the attachment portion is attached to the videoconferencing device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket apparatus is attached to the videoconferencing device and the attachment portion is attached to the mobile support structure.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket apparatus comprises a bracket portion and a pivot shaft wherein the bracket portion is configured to tilt around the pivot shaft.

5. The system of claim 4, further wherein the bracket apparatus further comprises a tilt control system for stabilizing the bracket apparatus in a plurality of tilt positions.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket apparatus includes a hole for receiving a quick release peg for attaching the attachment portion to the bracket apparatus.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the attachment portion to the bracket apparatus in at least two positions.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile support structure comprises a telescoping pole.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises a portion fitted to be received by an attachment system for mounting the videoconferencing device to the wall.

10. A method of adapting a videoconferencing device to be mounted to a mobile support structure, the method comprising:

providing a plate, a portion of the plate adapted to be slidably received into and secured to a bracket apparatus of a mobile support structure, the bracket apparatus comprising a locking mechanism for detachably securing the plate to the mobile support structure; and

attaching the plate to a videoconferencing device with at least one connecting structure, the videoconferencing device comprising an integrated display, microphone, speaker, camera, and interface for receiving communications from an interpreter to a patient.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing an attachment apparatus for mounting the videoconferencing device to a wall.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of providing comprises providing the plate in accordance with an interface standard.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the interface standard comprises a display interface standard.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a threaded hole corresponding to a threaded hole in the plate, the threaded holes for receiving a peg for coupling the bracket apparatus and the plate.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising adapting the videoconferencing device for attachment to the plate.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the videoconferencing device comprises a housing portion and an electronics portion and further comprising:

isolating a housing portion of the videoconferencing device from an electronics portion of the videoconferencing device;

creating openings in the housing portion for receiving the at least one connecting structure for attaching the plate to the videoconferencing device.

17. An apparatus for attaching a videoconferencing device to a mobile support structure to create a mobile videoconferencing unit for use in video-based interpretation of communications between a health care provider and a patient, the apparatus comprising:

an attachment portion;

means for affixing the attachment portion to the videoconferencing device, the videoconferencing device comprising a display, microphone, speaker, camera, and interface, the interface for transmitting and receiving videoconferencing signals; and

means for securing the attachment portion to a bracket system attached to a mobile support structure.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further wherein the bracket system comprises means for securing the attachment portion to the bracket system in at least two positions.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising means for tilting the attachment portion when the attachment portion is secured to the bracket system.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bracket system comprises means for securing the tilt of the attachment portion in a variety of tilt positions.