Web cam apparatus

• US 8,072,536 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2009
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sean Campbell
• Original Assignee: Sean Campbell
• Inventors: Campbell, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): AGGARWAL, YOGESH K
• Application Number:
  US12/397,036
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348373-376, 248/278.1, 396/419, 396/427, 396/428, 396/535, D16200-205, D16/208, D16/218
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

The web cam apparatus provides for a web cam to automatically track a user when the user moves out of a previously direct frame of the web cam. More than one mount type is provided so that various web cams and monitors with web cams can be accommodated. The apparatus also provides more than one remote airwave transmitter. Each transmitter is kept on a web cam user'"'"'s person so that tracking is automatic. One transmitter provides only web cam tracking. A headset optionally provided provides further communication with a computer that is equipped with both a transmitter and receiver. A computer so equipped can also communicate sounds between the headset and the computer.

Claims

1. A web cam apparatus, comprising, in combination:

a circular weighted base

a first CPU within the base;

a receiver disposed within the base, the receiver in communication with the first CPU;

an on/off switch in the base, the on/off switch in communication with the first CPU;

a stalk assembly affixed atop the base, the stalk assembly comprising;

a rotation motor disposed in about a center of the base, the rotation motor in communication with the first CPU;

a first tapered flange disposed atop the rotation motor;

a stalk affixed to the first tapered flange, the first tapered flange and the stalk selectively rotated by the rotation motor;

a second tapered flange disposed atop the stalk;

a pivot motor disposed atop the second tapered flange, the pivot motor in communication with the first CPU;

a pivot assembly disposed atop the pivot motor;

a pivot plate disposed atop the pivot assembly, the pivot plate selectively pivoted by the first CPU;

a mount disposed atop the pivot plate, the mount selectively affixed to an existing computer monitor with a web cam, the mount further selectively affixed to a stand-alone web cam;

a remote battery powered transmitter;

a second CPU within the transmitter, the second CPU in communication with the first CPU, the first CPU automatically rotating the stalk and pivoting the pivot plate such that the web cam and the monitor track the transmitter.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mount disposed atop the pivot plate is further adjustable.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stalk is further a flex stalk.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the stalk is further a flex stalk.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.

9. A web cam apparatus, comprising, in combination:

a circular weighted base

a first CPU within the base;

a receiver disposed within the base, the receiver in communication with the first CPU;

an on/off switch in the base, the on/off switch in communication with the first CPU;

a rotation motor disposed in about a center of the base, the rotation motor in communication with the first CPU;

a first tapered flange disposed atop the rotation motor;

a stalk affixed to the first tapered flange, the first tapered flange and the stalk selectively rotated by the rotation motor;

a second tapered flange disposed atop the stalk;

a pivot motor disposed atop the second tapered flange, the pivot motor in communication with the first CPU;

a pivot assembly disposed atop the pivot motor;

a pivot plate disposed atop the pivot assembly, the pivot plate selectively pivoted by the first CPU;

a mount disposed atop the pivot plate;

an existing web cam selectively affixed to the mount;

a battery powered remote headset;

a receiver disposed within the headset;

a transmitter disposed within the headset;

a microphone disposed within the headset;

an earphone disposed within the headset;

a second CPU disposed within the headset, the second CPU in communication with the receiver, the transmitter, the microphone, the earphone, and the first CPU, the first CPU automatically rotating the stalk and pivoting the pivot plate such that the web cam tracks the transmitter.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the mount disposed atop the pivot plate is further adjustable.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the stalk is further a flex stalk.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the stalk is further a flex stalk.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the pivot plate further comprises a quartet of spaced apart slots.