# US 10,122,904 B2 · Drain mechanism for camera controller > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,904 B2 - Document ID: US10122904B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/206,611 - Filed: 2016-07-11 - Published: 2018-01-11 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-11 - Assignees: GoPro, Inc. - Applicants: GoPro, Inc. - Inventors: Senka Agic Bergman; Joyce Rosenbaum - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122904B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/66: Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles} - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A camera controller is configured to control a camera through voice commands. The camera controller includes drain mechanisms that allow the camera controller to be used in environments in which the camera controller is exposed to fluids. The camera controller device comprises a housing body with an outer surface including a first opening and a second opening. A first channel extends from the first opening into the housing body and to a cavity in which a microphone is located, enabling audio signals entering the first opening to be captured by the microphone. A membrane is located between the first channel and the microphone to create a waterproof seal over the microphone. A second channel extends from the first channel to the second opening to create a drain such that fluid entering from the first opening can flow from the first channel through the second channel and out the second opening. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A camera controller device comprising: a housing body, the housing body including a first opening and a second opening, a top surface of the camera controller device including a recess running around a perimeter of the top surface, the top surface further including a camber such that a center portion of the top surface is elevated and slopes downwards towards the recess; a first channel extending from the first opening into the housing body; a microphone located within the housing body and configured to capture audio signals entering the first channel via the first opening; a membrane located between the first channel and the microphone, the membrane creating a waterproof seal over the microphone; and a second channel extending from the first channel to the second opening, the second channel creating a drain such that fluid entering the first opening can flow from the first channel through the second channel and out the second opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The camera controller device of claim 1, wherein the recess creates a channel for fluid to prevent the fluid from collecting on the top surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera controller device of claim 2, wherein the first opening is positioned within the recess. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The camera controller device of claim 1, wherein the second opening is located on a side surface of the housing body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The camera controller device of claim 1, wherein the second opening is located on a bottom surface of the housing body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The camera controller device of claim 1, further comprising a gasket between the second channel and the housing body to prevent fluid from entering the housing body from the second channel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The camera controller device of claim 1, wherein the membrane enables the transmission of audio signals through the membrane but prevents the passage of fluid through the membrane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The camera controller device of claim 1, wherein the second channel angles away from the top surface of the camera controller device and towards a side surface of the camera controller device. ### Claim 9 A camera controller device comprising: a plurality of microphones configured to capture audio signals; for each microphone: a first opening on a first surface of the camera controller device, the first surface including a recess running around a perimeter of the first surface and a camber such that a center portion of the first surface is elevated and slopes downwards towards the recess; a sound channel from the first opening to the microphone; and a second opening on a second surface of the camera controller device; and a drainage channel from the sound channel to the second opening such that fluid entering the first opening can flow through the sound channel, through the drainage channel, and out of the second opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The camera controller device of claim 9, wherein the recess creates a channel for fluid to prevent the fluid from collecting on the first surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The camera controller device of claim 10, wherein the first opening is positioned within the recess. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The camera controller device of claim 9, wherein the second surface is a side surface of a housing body of the camera controller device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The camera controller device of claim 9, wherein the second surface is a bottom surface of a housing body of the camera controller device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The camera controller device of claim 9, further comprising a gasket between the drainage channel and a housing body of the camera controller device to prevent fluid from entering the housing body from the drainage channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The camera controller device of claim 9, wherein a membrane is located between the sound channel and the microphone, the membrane configured to create a waterproof seal over the microphone, the membrane further configured to enable the transmission of audio signals through the membrane but prevent the passage of fluid through the membrane. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The camera controller device of claim 9, wherein the drainage channel angles away from the first surface of the camera controller device and towards the second surface of the camera controller device. ### Claim 17 A camera controller device comprising: a housing body including a first opening, a second opening, and a top surface having a recess running around a perimeter of the top surface to create a channel for fluid to prevent the fluid from collecting on the top surface, the first opening being positioned within the recess; a first channel extending from the first opening into the housing body; a microphone located within the housing body and configured to capture audio signals entering the first channel via the first opening; a membrane located between the first channel and the microphone, the membrane creating a waterproof seal over the microphone; and a second channel extending from the first channel to the second opening, the second channel creating a drain such that fluid entering the first opening can flow from the first channel through the second channel and out the second opening.