US 7,733,418 B2Granted

Encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system

OwnerAlan Edward Kaplan, Edward M. Ulicki +2inventors

InventorsAlan Edward Kaplan, Edward M. Ulicki, Nicholas C. Korinis, II, Kenneth R. Jones

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Abstract

An encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system is provided, which is capable of righting itself into an upright, balanced position. The encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system has a video camera, wireless communication means and balancing mass disposed within an internal, self-righting, inner structure. The inner structure is disposed within a transparent outer container, such that the inner structure may rotate within the outer container when resting upon a surface, such that the video camera rotates into an upright position by gravitational forces acting upon the balancing mass disposed with the inner structure. In addition, a remote operation means is provided, which enables a user of the present system to view video images transmitted from the video camera, and to remotely control movement of the lens and/or video camera.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system is provided, comprising:

(a) an inner structure, and a plurality of ports formed in said inner structure, at least a portion of the inner structure being comprised of a transparent material and/or having one or more perforations formed therein;
(b) one or more rotational adjustment means in communication with one or more ports formed in the inner structure;
(c) a video camera means disposed within the inner structure, said video camera means having a lens, preferably a wide angle lens, disposed adjacent a portion of the inner structure being comprised of a transparent material or having perforations formed therein;
(d) a first wireless communication means disposed within the inner structure, said wireless communication means in communication with the video camera means, and capable of wirelessly transmitting video images received from the video camera means;
(e) a balancing mass disposed in or formed contiguous with the inner structure, said balancing mass being disposed such that the balancing mass exerts a sufficient torque upon the inner structure to rotate same to a position wherein the lens is disposed upright;
and
(f) a hollow outer container having a diameter larger than a maximum span of the inner structure, the hollow outer container being formed of a transparent material,
wherein the inner structure is freely rotatable within the hollow outer container, such that the balancing mass causes the video camera means wide angle lens to rotate into an upright position by gravitational forces acting upon the balancing mass.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.