Self articulating behind-wall camera
AssigneeDominic M. Kotab
InventorsDominic M. Kotab, Jarrod Hicks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one general embodiment, a system for viewing partially or fully enclosed areas comprises a camera coupled to a first end of an elongated member and a viewing device operatively coupled to the camera. The system also includes a controller coupled to a second end of the elongated member for controlling at least one of the member, the camera, and the viewing device, wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area of less than about one square inch at a point toward the first end of the elongated member. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
Claims40
A system for viewing partially or fully enclosed areas, comprising:
- a camera coupled to a first end of an elongated member;
- at least one interface for communicating with a viewing device via at least one wireless connection, wherein the viewing device includes a mobile device and is capable of being operatively coupled to the camera;
- a controller coupled to a second end of the elongated member for controlling at least one of the member, the camera, or the viewing device;
- wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area of less than about one square inch at a point toward the first end of the elongated member.
A system, comprising:
- a photo lens coupled to a first end of an elongated member;
- an image capture device operatively coupled to the photo lens;
- a viewing device operatively coupled to the image capture device;
- wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area of less than about one square inch at a point toward the first end of the elongated member, and is flexible or resiliently deformable.
A method for viewing a fully or partially enclosed area comprising:
- drilling a hole through a wall;
- inserting a first end of an elongated member through the hole in the wall, wherein the first end of the elongated member is coupled to a photo lens;
- and
- positioning the photo lens such that an image capture device operatively coupled to the photo lens captures a desired view behind the wall.
A method for viewing a fully or partially enclosed area comprising:
- capturing at least one image from behind an obstruction using an image capture device operatively coupled to a photo lens coupled to a first end of an elongated member;
- and
- outputting the at least one image captured by the image capture device to a viewing device,
- wherein a center of view of the photo lens is between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member,
- wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area at a point toward the first end of the elongated member of less than about one square inch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.