Wireless communication module
AssigneeLab Partners Associates, Inc.
InventorJames E. Clark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microcontroller radio card (2) for insertion into a first device, e.g., a camera (10) to allow for remote operation of a second device, e.g., a flashpack (22), utilizing the existing controls of the first device. The card includes a base (34) populated with various microelectronic devices for transmitting and or receiving RF or other signals used in the control and operation of the second device. A central processing unit (CPU) (41) translates signals received from the first device and controls the generation of corresponding signals to be transmitted to the second device in response to the signals received from the first device. Signals are transmitted to the second device via a transceiver chip (43).
Claims31
A wireless communication module for insertion into a body of a camera to give the camera the ability to communicate with a remote device without disrupting normal camera function, the camera having camera controls and being originally designed without or with different, remote communication functionality, said module comprising:
- a base sized and configured to be capable of being inserted into the camera body without substantially modifying the camera;
- a transmitter or transceiver attached to said base;
- and
- a camera control signal intercept connector for operatively connecting said transmitter or transceiver to the camera controls,
- wherein the module, when inserted in the camera body and operatively connected to the camera controls via said connector, does not interfere with the normal function of the camera.
A camera capable of remotely operating a second device, said camera comprising:
- a camera body including camera controls, mechanical controls, and a conductor for conducting electrical signals between said camera controls and said mechanical controls, said camera body being not originally designed to remotely operate a second device;
- and
- a microcontroller radio card having a transmitter or transceiver for transmitting signals from said camera body to the second device, said card sized for insertion into said camera body, said card directly connected to said conductor, thereby communicatively joining said card with said camera controls, said card not interfering with the normal function of the camera.
A system for modifying a camera, the camera including a housing having camera controls, so that the camera is capable of remotely communicating with a second device without interfering with normal camera function, the system comprising:
- a microcontroller radio card having a transmitter or transceiver for transmitting signals from the camera to the second device, said card capable of being inserted into the camera without substantially modifying the housing, said card including a camera control signal intercept connector to be operatively connected to the camera controls, said card being sized and configured to be received in a camera body that was originally designed without, or with different, remote communication functionality, said card not interfering with the normal function of the camera.
A method of modifying a camera, the camera including a housing having camera controls, so that the camera is capable of remotely communicating with a second device without interfering with normal camera function, the method comprising the steps of:
- physically connecting a microcontroller radio card having wireless communication capabilities to the camera controls;
- and
- inserting said microcontroller radio card in the camera without substantially modifying the housing,
- wherein said microcontroller radio card is sized and configured to be received in a camera housing that was originally designed without, or with different, remote communication functionality, and wherein said microcontroller radio card does not interfere with the normal function of the camera.
A wireless communication module for insertion into a camera without interfering with normal camera function, the camera having camera controls and a first processor for controlling the operation of the camera, said module comprising:
- a base capable of being inserted completely within the camera without substantially modifying the camera;
- a transmitter or transceiver attached to said base;
- a second processor attached to said base, said second processor controlling communication between the camera and a remote device;
- and
- a camera control signal intercept connector for operatively connecting said transmitter or transceiver to the camera controls,
- wherein the module, when inserted in the camera body and operatively connected to the camera controls via said connector, does not interfere with the normal function of the camera.
A system for modifying a camera, the camera including a housing having camera controls and a first processor for controlling the camera, so that the camera is capable of remotely communicating with a second device without interfering with normal camera function, the system comprising:
- a microcontroller radio card having a transmitter or transceiver for transmitting signals from the camera to the second device, said card capable of being inserted completely within the camera without substantially modifying the housing, said card including a camera control signal intercept connector to be operatively connected to the camera controls, said card having thereon a second processor for controlling communication between the camera and the second device, said card, when inserted in the camera body and operatively connected to the camera controls via said connector, not interfering with the normal function of the camera.
A method of modifying a camera, the camera including a housing having camera controls and a first processor for controlling the camera operation, so that the camera is capable of remotely communicating with a second device without interfering with normal camera function, the method comprising the steps of:
- operatively connecting a microcontroller radio card having wireless communication capabilities to the camera controls, said microcontroller radio card having thereon a second processor for controlling the communicating;
- and
- inserting said microcontroller radio card completely within the camera without substantially modifying the housing or interfering with normal camera function.
A wireless communication module for insertion into a body of a camera to give the camera the ability to communicate with a remote device without disrupting normal camera function, the camera having camera controls and being originally designed without, or with different, remote communication functionality, said module comprising:
- a base sized and configured to be capable of being inserted into the camera body without substantially modifying the camera;
- a transmitter or transceiver attached to said base;
- and
- a connector for operatively connecting said transmitter or transceiver to the camera controls,
- wherein the module, when inserted in the camera body and operatively connected to the camera controls via said connector, does not interfere wit the normal function of the camera, and
- wherein said base is operably joined with a detachable antenna, said antenna adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from the camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.