Mirror-mimicking video system
OwnerCurtis A. Miltoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for allowing a person to observe herself or himself from different vantage points while carrying out operations such as grooming. A swivel seat is employed. A video monitor is mounted to swivel in unison with the swivel seat. Adjustment means are provided to allow the user to position the video monitor at a desired elevation and orientation. A video camera is mounted on a stand and positioned to observe the user. The video monitor displays what is seen by the video camera. Automated zoom and pan controls optionally allow the user to control the video camera from the video monitor. A hand-held version of the video monitor, which also incorporates the camera controls, is provided. A version using a hand-held video camera is disclosed as well.
Claims20
A monitor system allowing a user to observe himself or herself while seated in a chair having a base and a seat pivotally attached to said base, comprising:
- a. a video camera;
- b. camera mounting means for fixing the location and orientation of said video camera, so that said video camera can be pointed toward said user when said user is sitting on said seat;
- c. a monitor, including
- i. communications means for receiving a video signal from said video camera;
- ii. display means for displaying said video signal as a visible image;
- d. monitor mounting means, configured to attach said monitor to said chair, so that said monitor pivots in unison with said seat;
- said monitor mounting means including
- i. a beam linked to said seat so as to pivot in unison with said seat;
- ii. an upright, extending upward from said beam;
- and
- iii. an attachment between said upright and said monitor.
A monitor system allowing a user to observe himself or herself while seated in a chair having a base and a seat pivotally attached to said base, comprising:
- a. a video camera;
- b. camera mounting means for fixing the location and orientation of said video camera, so that said video camera can be pointed toward said user when said user is sitting on said seat;
- c. a monitor, including
- i. communications means for receiving a video signal from said video camera;
- ii. display means for displaying said video signal as a visible image;
- d. monitor mounting means, configured to attach said monitor to said chair, so that said monitor pivots in unison with said seat;
- e. a second video camera is mounted on said monitor and directed toward said user;
- and
- f. said visible image on said monitor assumes the form of a split screen, with a first portion displaying the output of said video camera and a second portion displaying the output of said second video camera.
A monitor system allowing a user to observe himself or herself while seated in a chair having a base and a seat pivotally attached to said base, comprising:
- a. a video camera;
- b. camera mounting means for fixing the location and orientation of said video camera, so that said video camera can be pointed toward said user when said user is sitting on said seat;
- c. a monitor, including
- i. communications means for receiving a video signal from said video camera;
- ii. display means for displaying said video signal as a visible image;
- and
- d. monitor mounting means, configured to attach said monitor to said chair, so that said monitor pivots in unison with said seat without moving said video camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.