Abstract: A mount (coupler) is disclosed that is configured to connect an image capture device to an accessory. The mount includes a female component that is configured for connection to the accessory and which defines stops, and a male component that is configured for removable insertion into the female component. The male component includes: a body; arms that are supported by the body and which are configured for engagement with the stops to thereby connect the male component to the female component; and a power hub that is supported by the body and which is configured to receive a power cord along a longitudinal axis to thereby deliver power and/or data to the mount. The male component is configured for disconnection from the female component upon deflection of the arms beyond a threshold release distance that is less than a maximum transverse (e.g., horizontal) cross-sectional dimension defined by the power cord.

Abstract: An image capture device is described that includes a body; a mounting structure that is connected to the body; an integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) that defines an optical axis and extends through the body and the mounting structure; and an accessory that is releasably connectable to the mounting structure via rotation through a range of motion less than approximately 90 degrees. The mounting structure and the accessory include corresponding angled bearing surfaces that are configured for engagement such that rotation of the accessory relative to the mounting structure creates a bearing effect that displaces the accessory along the optical axis to thereby reduce any axial force required during connection and disconnection of the accessory.

Abstract: A camera case that includes a buoyant material. The buoyant material forms a cavity defined by a top side, a right side, a bottom side, and a left side, and the cavity is configured to removably receive a camera. A front opening extends into the cavity. A rear opening is located opposite the front opening, and the rear opening is larger than the front opening so that the camera is extendable into the cavity through the rear opening. A button recess in the top side is aligned with a physical input interface of the camera. A mount opening extends through the bottom side of the camera case to receives a portion of a support member so that the support member and the camera are connectable through the mount opening. The camera case includes a sufficient amount of the buoyant material to float the camera in water when the camera is inserted into the cavity.

Abstract: An image capture device is described that includes a body; a mounting structure that is connected to the body; an integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) that defines an optical axis and extends through the body and the mounting structure; and an accessory that is releasably connectable to the mounting structure via rotation through a range of motion less than approximately 90 degrees. The mounting structure and the accessory include corresponding angled bearing surfaces that are configured for engagement such that rotation of the accessory relative to the mounting structure creates a bearing effect that displaces the accessory along the optical axis to thereby reduce any axial force required during connection and disconnection of the accessory.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera and a camera case. The camera includes a lens on a front side thereof, a rear display screen on a rear side thereof, and a mount on a bottom side thereof. The camera case is formed of a compliant foam material that defines a cavity in which the camera is removably received, a front opening that allows light to pass to the front lens, a rear opening through which the rear display screen is visible, and a mount opening through which the mount extends. The camera case includes a sufficient amount of the compliant foam material for the camera system to float in water. The camera case may extend rearward from the rear side of the camera further than the camera case extends from the front side, the rear side, a top side, a left side, and a right side of the camera.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an interconnect mechanism facilitate the connection of an image capture device to an accessory (either directly or indirectly). In one embodiment, the interconnect mechanism includes a rotatable support that is movable between a series (plurality) of discrete rotational positions through an unlimited range of motion. In another embodiment, the interconnect mechanism includes a pivotable support, which allows for reconfiguration of the interconnect mechanism between a stowed configuration, in which the support is concealed, and a deployed configuration, in which the support is exposed so as to facilitate the connection of the interconnect mechanism and the accessory. In yet another embodiment, the interconnect mechanism includes protrusions that are pivotably reconfigurable between a stowed configuration, in which the protrusions are rotatably fixed, and a deployed configuration, in which the protrusions are rotatable through a range of motion about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a first housing, a second housing, a first integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA), and a second ISLA. The second housing is coupled to the first housing to form an internal compartment. The first ISLA includes a first image sensor coupled to a first lens in fixed alignment. The second ISLA includes a second image sensor coupled to a second lens in fixed alignment. The first ISLA is positively statically connected to the first housing, and the second ISLA is coupled to the first housing indirectly via the first ISLA.

Abstract: An underwater system is disclosed for use with a digital image capturing device (DICD) in underwater environments. The underwater system includes a center band having first and second support bands; a first housing fixedly connected to the first support band and including an optically clear material; a second housing fixedly connected to the second support band and including an optically clear material; a cradle connected to the first support band and configured to receive the DICD; and a latching mechanism positioned between the cradle and the first support band. The second support band is pivotally connected to the first support band such that the underwater system is repositionable between an open position and a closed position, and the latching mechanism is repositionable between a locked position, in which the latching mechanism securely engages the DICD, and an unlocked position, in which the latching mechanism is disengaged from the DICD.

Abstract: An image capture device includes electronic components and a body. The electronic components include an image sensor and a processing apparatus. The body defines an internal compartment containing the electronic components. The body includes a rear housing and a chassis. The rear housing extends around a top side, a right side, a bottom side, and a left side of the body. The chassis includes an upright portion and a lateral portion extending rearward from the upright portion. The rear housing and the chassis are coupled to each other to cooperatively form the internal compartment with the upright portion of the chassis being coupled to a front end of the rear housing and the lateral portion being positioned outside of and below the internal compartment.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a first housing, a second housing, a first integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA), and a second ISLA. The second housing is coupled to the first housing to form an internal compartment. The first ISLA includes a first image sensor coupled to a first lens in fixed alignment. The second ISLA includes a second image sensor coupled to a second lens in fixed alignment. The first ISLA is positively statically connected to the first housing, and the second ISLA is coupled to the first housing indirectly via the first ISLA.

Abstract: An image capture device includes electronic components and a body. The electronic components include an image sensor and a processing apparatus. The body defines an internal compartment containing the electronic components. The body includes a rear housing and a chassis. The rear housing extends around a top side, a right side, a bottom side, and a left side of the body. The chassis includes an upright portion and a lateral portion extending rearward from the upright portion. The rear housing and the chassis are coupled to each other to cooperatively form the internal compartment with the upright portion of the chassis being coupled to a front end of the rear housing and the lateral portion being positioned outside of and below the internal compartment.

Abstract: An image capture device is described that includes a body; a mounting structure that is connected to the body; an integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) that defines an optical axis and extends through the body and the mounting structure; and an accessory that is releasably connectable to the mounting structure via rotation through a range of motion less than approximately 90 degrees. The mounting structure and the accessory include corresponding angled bearing surfaces that are configured for engagement such that rotation of the accessory relative to the mounting structure creates a bearing effect that displaces the accessory along the optical axis to thereby reduce any axial force required during connection and disconnection of the accessory.

Abstract: An underwater system is disclosed for use with a digital image capturing device (DICD) in underwater environments. The underwater system includes a center band having first and second support bands; a first housing fixedly connected to the first support band and including an optically clear material; a second housing fixedly connected to the second support band and including an optically clear material; a cradle connected to the first support band and configured to receive the DICD; and a latching mechanism positioned between the cradle and the first support band. The second support band is pivotally connected to the first support band such that the underwater system is repositionable between an open position and a closed position, and the latching mechanism is repositionable between a locked position, in which the latching mechanism securely engages the DICD, and an unlocked position, in which the latching mechanism is disengaged from the DICD.

Abstract: An accessory for an image capture device is disclosed that includes: a body; a rotatable first support that is configured for connection to the image capture device; a second support that is pivotably reconfigurable between stowed and deployed configurations; and a third support including first and second legs that are pivotably connected to the body such that the third support is reconfigurable between collapsed and expanded configurations. In the stowed configuration, the second support is concealed within the body, and in the deployed configuration, the second support extends outwardly from the body to facilitate connection of the accessory to an ancillary product. In the collapsed configuration, the third support defines a grip for the image capture device, and in the expanded configuration, the body defines a third leg that cooperates with the first and second legs to provide a freestanding base for the image capture device.

Abstract: An accessory for an image capture device is disclosed that includes: a body; a rotatable first support that is configured for connection to the image capture device; a second support that is pivotably reconfigurable between stowed and deployed configurations; and a third support including first and second legs that are pivotably connected to the body such that the third support is reconfigurable between collapsed and expanded configurations. In the stowed configuration, the second support is concealed within the body, and in the deployed configuration, the second support extends outwardly from the body to facilitate connection of the accessory to an ancillary product. In the collapsed configuration, the third support defines a grip for the image capture device, and in the expanded configuration, the body defines a third leg that cooperates with the first and second legs to provide a freestanding base for the image capture device.

Abstract: An image capture device is described that includes a body; a mounting structure that is connected to the body; an integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) that defines an optical axis and extends through the body and the mounting structure; and an accessory that is releasably connectable to the mounting structure via rotation through a range of motion less than approximately 90 degrees. The mounting structure and the accessory include corresponding angled bearing surfaces that are configured for engagement such that rotation of the accessory relative to the mounting structure creates a bearing effect that displaces the accessory along the optical axis to thereby reduce any axial force required during connection and disconnection of the accessory.