Abstract: A digital camera stand comprising a main body and a tilting body received within a cavity formed within a top portion of the main body and coupled to the main body along a pivot axis. The tilting body includes indexed portions, preferably a parallel arrangement of notches formed along the back portion of the tilting body, adapted to engage with an indexer coupled to the main body to allow indexed tilting of the tilting body relative to the main body as the indexer is engaged with a selected one of the notches. One end of a data connector is received through a shell of the tilting body and presents a data connection adapted to couple with a complementary connector on a base portion of the digital camera maintained within a pocket of the tilting body.

Abstract: A camera crane has a boom arm pivotably connected to a post assembly. The boom arm is extendible via an extension accessory kit. A track section is pivotably attached to the front end of the boom arm, and is leveled via leveling rods. The boom arm has a joggled section to provide clearance for a camera operator. A camera frame carrying a camera is linearly moveable along the track section. Pivot joints provide for adjustable drag on pivoting movement, without backlash or slip/stick movement. The track section is provided with a track frame and a slide head, so that the track section can be used apart from the crane.

Abstract: A tripod is constructed to include a platform unit, which enables the platform thereof to be adjusted horizontally through 360°, a support unit for enabling the platform unit to be adjusted to the desired tilting angle, the support unit having a rear leg pivoted to a center post thereof, and a mounting leg unit adapted for securing the support unit to a tree, table top, or the like, the mounting leg unit having a short leg and a long leg adapted for making a scissors action, a clamping foot member pivoted to the short leg, a lock adapted for locking the legs, and an adjustment screw adapted for moving the clamping foot member relative to the long leg.

Abstract: The camera apparatus includes a camera main body and a convex mirror. A picture reflected by the convex mirror is taken by the camera main body. Even if the angle of view of a camera lens is set small and the camera main body is made compact, a picture having a wide angle of view can be taken through the convex mirror.

Abstract: A digital camera stand comprising a main body and a tilting body received within a cavity formed within a top portion of the main body and coupled to the main body along a pivot axis. The tilting body includes indexed portions, preferably a parallel arrangement of notches formed along the back portion of the tilting body, adapted to engage with an indexer coupled to the main body to allow indexed tilting of the tilting body relative to the main body as the indexer is engaged with a selected one of the notches. One end of a data connector is received through a shell of the tilting body and presents a data connection adapted to couple with a complementary connector on a base portion of the digital camera maintained within a pocket of the tilting body.

Abstract: A tripod is constructed to include a platform unit, which enables the platform thereof to be adjusted horizontally through 360°, a support unit aed for supporting the platform unit for enabling the platform unit to be adjusted to the desired tilting angle, the support unit having a rear leg pivoted to a center post thereof, and a mounting leg unit adapted for securing the support unit to a tree, table top, or the like, the mounting leg unit having a short leg and a long leg adapted for making a scissors action, a clamping foot member pivoted to the short leg, a lock adapted for locking the legs, and an adjustment screw adapted for moving the clamping foot member relative to the long leg.

Abstract: A balancer system for hand-held cameras includes a camera mounting mechanism, a pendulum arm, at least one counterweight and a handgrip. The counterweight can be attached to the pendulum arm and the pendulum arm is connected to the camera mounting mechanism. The pendulum arm is pendulum mounted on the handgrip. The handgrip is configured as a hollow bell-shaped balancer (1) which is flared at least in its lower section, when in use, and the pendulum arm is a substantially straight pendulum rod (2) extending through the bell-shaped balancer (1).

Abstract: A pan/tilt camera system includes a sensor spaced from a rotational shaft of a pan/tilt camera, a detected piece rotated with the rotational shaft so as to correspond to the sensor, an origin setting unit rotating the rotational shaft in a first direction upon turn-on of a power so that the detected piece corresponds to the sensor and thereafter, rotating the rotational shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction so that the sensor detects a rear end of the detected piece with respect to the rotation direction of the detected piece, setting an origin, a pulse counter applying a predetermined number of pulses to the motor after set of the origin so that the rotational shaft is continuously rotated in the second direction and further so that the rotational shaft is subsequently reversed at a speed equal to the predetermined speed, the pulse counter counting pulses applied to the motor until a front end of the detected piece with respect to the rotation direction of the detected piece is detected

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a support element, a frame or enclosure rotatably attached to the support element and a camera rotatably attached to the frame or enclosure. The frame or enclosure can rotate about a subject placed on the support element in the horizontal and in the vertical. A camera mounted on the frame or enclosure rotates about the subject with the frame or enclosure and can also move toward or away from the subject. The frame can be covered with translucent material to create an enclosure around the subject and lighting may be applied either from outside the enclosure or inside the enclosure by placing lights affixed to the external frame through the material. In one embodiment, solid translucent material such as plexiglass can be both the frame and the enclosure. The support element includes at least one arm connected to a stage support which mounts a rotatable stage upon which the subject to be photographed is placed.

Abstract: A stand facilitates and supports the use of digital cameras including digital video cameras in performing an equivalent function to a scanner in recording digital images which may be downloaded to a computer. The stand incorporates means for automatically configuring the camera into a mode of operation for document image capture on placing said camera into said stand. Said stand is adjustable in height and includes hinge sections 201 to appropriately position said camera for use in capturing an image of a document.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera module that can be rapidly aligned with a predetermined field of view. In one embodiment, the camera module includes a faceplate that is matable to a mounting bracket so as to place the camera module in a fixed position relative to the mounting bracket. A mounting rail is securable to the face plate, such as perpendicularly. A base plate, to which the camera can be affixed, is engagable to the mounting plate such that that the camera is movable about yaw and pitch axes with respect to the mounting plate. The base plate position can be adjusted by a plurality of screws that impinge upon the mounting plate until the camera optical axis is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the module. Once the camera is aligned it is fixed in position in relation to the mounting plate, and therefore, the faceplate and the mounting bracket as well. This arrangement allows a camera to be rapidly aligned with the predetermined field of view by mounting the camera module on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The invention includes a self-propelled camera dolly having a camera support unit, a drive unit, and a flexible coupling placed between the camera support unit and the drive unit. The camera support unit includes wheels and a camera. The drive unit can move in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The flexible coupling may include three pivots, where two of these pivots may be orientated in the vertical direction and the other in the horizontal direction to aid the movement of the drive unit.

Abstract: A camera is suitable for installation in a passenger car motor vehicle and is arranged on a superstructure via a retaining device. To make sure that the camera will be advantageously integrated into the motor vehicle, it can be swung by the retaining device out of a resting position sunk into a wall of the superstructure into an extended operating position and vice versa.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of shooting a scene in a motion picture. A track is provided as including two outer rails and a center rail. The center rail is located somewhere between the two outer rails. The center rail includes a top, a first side, and a second side. A self-propelled camera positioning device is also provided. The self-propelled camera positioning device includes a camera support unit having wheels and a camera. The self-propelled camera positioning device also includes a drive unit coupled to the camera support unit. The drive unit includes at least one drive roller, two guide rollers positioned adjacent to the at least one roller. The guide rollers are biased against the first side and the second side of the center rail. The wheels on the two outer rails are positioned on the two outer rails. The camera support unit is moved along the track to define information of the motion. This information is stored.

Abstract: A car door rearview mirror structure having a mirror disposed on a rear side of the main body of the rearview mirror and electrically adjustable in inclination angle. A front cover body is mated with front side of the main body and a partitioning board is disposed in the main body to separate the front cover body from the mirror. A camera lens is disposed on the surface of front side of the partitioning board. The front face of the front cover body is formed with a window in front of the camera lens with a transparent cover fitted in the window to seal the window. By means of the camera lens and through the transparent cover, the view of a dead corner on a front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety.

Abstract: A camera crane has a boom arm pivotably connected to a post assembly. A track section is pivotably attached to the front end of the boom arm, and is leveled via leveling rods. A camera frame carrying a camera is linearly moveable along the track section. Pivot joints provide for adjustable drag on pivoting movement, without backlash or slip/stick movement. A remote control accessory is attached to the crane to provide remote movement of the camera platform using joystick controllers.

Abstract: A panhead (11) has a base body (20), a tilting body (21), and a camera mount (41). The base body (20) is adapted to be connected to a leg system 12. The tilting body (21) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (X) that horizontally extends in the lateral direction. The camera mount (41) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (A) that horizontally extends in the fore-and-aft direction and coincides with the axial direction of a side-tilting shaft. The rotation center axis (A) of the camera mount (41) approximately coincides with a lateral-dimension-bisecting line (B) of the base body (20) as viewed from the top. The side-tilting shaft is disposed approximately below a camera fixing screw (59) of the camera mount (41).

Abstract: A shipping container or crate for a camera crane has a base including a cutout. Sidewalls of the crate have platforms for holding front and rear sections of the boom arm of the crane. The post section of the crane is suspended within the crate. The cutout allows a camera dolly to move directly underneath the crane arm, to lift the crane arm up and out of the crate. The need to lift the crane arm by hand is avoided.

Abstract: In a projection type picture display apparatus, three degrees of freedom out of six degrees of freedom which are adjusted by an angle-of-view adjusting mechanism are adjusted by using one adjusting plate (three-axis adjusting plate). The adjusting plate on which a projection unit is fixedly supported rotates the projection unit around the X-axis or Z-axis with respect to a screen disposed in parallel to the XY plane and translates the projection unit in the Y-axis direction to adjust three degrees of freedom. The adjusting plate has first, second and third support shafts extending in the Y-axis direction, a first adjusting shaft engageable with the first and second support shafts, and a second adjusting shaft engageable with the first and third support shafts, and adjusts the three degrees of freedom of the projection unit on the basis of the combination of the engagements.

Abstract: A camera stand and camera housing for allowing users to photograph themselves with a single use camera. The stand may include a tripod having legs that are adjustable in and out to spread the legs and collapse them together. A camera pedestal at the top of the tripod has a ball that fits in a socket on the bottom of the camera housing to provide for universal aiming of the camera. The camera housing has a rear opening for loading and unloading of cameras and a hinged door for closing the rear opening. Alignment surfaces inside the housing assure that all commercially available single use cameras are positioned with their shutter buttons located directly below a striker which actuates the shutter button. A control mechanism forces the striker downwardly against the shutter button after elapse of a time delay giving the user enough time to move in front of the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing pan and tilt positional control to a wide range of devices, such as lighting fixtures, surveillance cameras, video monitors, fans and speakers. The invention utilizes the mounting bracket of the device being positioned to facilitate a simplified pan and tilt arrangement. The pan and tilt motors are mounted in a singular motor housing that is affixed to the top of the mounting bracket of the device being positioned. The pan motor's rotational force is translated into a panning action by means of a threaded drive shaft that passes through the top of the motor housing and is affixed to a stationary support structure. During panning operations the motor housing and the device being positioned rotate about the pan axis. The tilt motor's rotational force is translated into a tilting action by means of a wire cable and small drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pedestal (1) for a variety of equipment, which require accurate aiming and robust mounting, especially form cameras (2) with a telephoto lens (3) and for telescopes, for fitting said equipment in a vehicular window opening (4) for facilitating the surveillance or photography performed from the vehicle. The pedestal (1) includes a base member (16) provided with one or more fastening holes (9) for an apparatus (2, 3) to be mounted on the pedestal, one end of said base member (16) being fitted with a fastening member (5) adapted to bear against the top edge of a glass panel (16) existing in a window opening (4) and the other end being fitted with a diagonal brace (20) adapted to bear at least at two points against a vehicular side surface (8) below the window opening. The invention relates also to the use of such a pedestal as a table stand, e.g.

Abstract: A tiltable device for carrying an object thereon includes a base, first and second rails arranged on the base and inclined such that they are located close to each other at one end and remote from each other at the other end, a first lateral link having opposite ends movably arranged on the first and second rails, respectively, a second lateral link parallel to the first lateral link and serving as a tiltable base for carrying an object thereon, and first and second vertical links parallel to each other and each rotatably connected to the first and second lateral links for holding the first and second lateral links together.

Abstract: Described are flexure-based high precision positioning stages. The stages are constrained to motion along each axis by a system of symmetrical flexure linkages. The linkages may be formed of link coupled by flexure joints. Magnetic linear servomotors may provide motive force for the stages. In some embodiments, the stages may have no frictional contact joints.

Abstract: A two degree of freedom camera mount. The camera mount includes a socket, a ball, a first linkage and a second linkage. The socket includes an interior surface and an opening. The ball is positioned within an interior of the socket. The ball includes a coupling point for rotating the ball relative to the socket and an aperture for mounting a camera. The first and second linkages are rotatably connected to the socket and slidably connected to the coupling point of the ball. Rotation of the linkages with respect to the socket causes the ball to rotate with respect to the socket.

Abstract: A camera crane has a boom arm pivotably connected to a post assembly. A track section is pivotably attached to the front end of the boom arm, and is leveled via leveling rods. The boom arm has a joggled section to provide clearance for a camera operator. A camera frame carrying a camera is linearly moveable along the track section. Pivot joints provide for adjustable drag on pivoting movement, without backlash or slip/stick movement.

Abstract: The apparatus has a first and a second member (5,6) and a device (7) for the fixing of a guide rail (1) with an optical apparatus to the members. The device (7) contains a blocking member (8) and a lever (9) with a holding device (10) standing under spring action, the lever being pivotally mounted on the blocking member and contacting the second member (6) in such a way that the lever fixes the optical apparatus in a first position, frees the optical apparatus for displacement in a second position and releases the optical apparatus for removal in a third position.

Abstract: A nonslip resilient surface on the camera attachment area of a camera panhead, which utilizes readily available o-rings (1) arranged concentrically about the camera attachment screw (1B). The depths of successive ring grooves can be graduated to allow for more protrusion of the outer o-rings to assure positive seating with the camera base (2). The resilient o-rings can be retained in their grooves by their own elasticity.

Abstract: A controllable camera support including a pivoting arm adapted to be rotatably connected to a pivot point defining a first rotational axis. The pivoting arm also defines a radial axis. The camera support also includes a camera holder mounted on the pivoting arm. The camera holder is displaceable along the radial axis. The camera further includes motors coupled to the pivoting arm and to the camera holder. The motors are adapted to impart rotational and radial motions to the camera holder. The camera support also includes a control device for controlling the motors. The invention also covers a system further including a focal adjustable, rotational, tilting camera mounted on the camera holder. When a target that is focused by the camera becomes obstructed, the control device is adapted to move the camera to another position all the while focusing on the target.

Abstract: A camera system and method for operating that system. The camera system comprises a stationary camera having a wide angle view, a remotely controllable camera having a relatively smaller angle view for providing images in substantially full resolution, and a processor. The processor monitors the wide angle view of the stationary camera, receives information concerning a selected desired subject within the wide angle view, generates an electronic pan-tilt-zoom view of the selected desired subject based on the wide angle view of the stationary camera, controls the remotely controllable camera for providing a view that overlaps the electronic pan-tilt-zoom view of the desired subject, and processes the electronic pan-tilt-zoom view of the desired subject in accordance with the resolution of the remotely controllable camera.

Abstract: A storing structure is used for a document camera. The storing structure includes a camera for picking up an image of a document and having a first lateral side, an extensible arm pivotally connected to the first lateral side of the camera for adjusting a distance between the camera and the document, a base having a second lateral side pivotally connected with the extensible arm for supporting the camera, a first pivot device connected to the first lateral side of the camera and the extensible arm for pivoting the camera, and a second pivot device connected to the extensible arm and the second lateral side of the base for pivoting the extensible arm to store the document camera.

Abstract: A balancer system for hand-held cameras includes a camera mounting mechanism, a pendulum arm, at least one counterweight and a handgrip. The counterweight can be attached to the pendulum arm and the pendulum arm is connected to the camera mounting mechanism. The pendulum arm is pendulum mounted on the handgrip. The handgrip is configured as a hollow bell-shaped balancer (1) which is flared at least in its lower section, when in use, and the pendulum arm is a substantially straight pendulum rod (2) extending through the bell-shaped balancer (1).

Abstract: Car-used rearview mirror structure. A mirror is disposed on rear side of the main body of the rearview mirror and electrically adjustable in inclination angle. A front cover body is mated with front side of the main body. A partitioning board is disposed in the main body to separate the front cover body from the mirror. A camera lens is disposed on the surface of front side of the partitioning board. The front face of the front cover body is formed with a window in front of the camera lens. A transparent cover is fitted in the window to seal the window. By means of the camera lens and through the transparent cover, the view of dead corner on front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety.

Abstract: A surveillance system is provided including a platform having a plurality and variety of cameras or sensors mounted thereto, and a base enclosure adapted to accommodate a power supply, a variety of electronics and other equipment for controlling and providing power to the surveillance equipment. The base is constructed to be tamper resistant and immovable by manual means. A substantially hollow support pole includes a lower portion detachably mounted to the base, and an upper portion mounted to the platform. Wires and cables for connecting the surveillance equipment with the electronics and power supply are run through the support pole. Power to the system may be supplied through existing power sources, for example a 120V power source.

Abstract: A means for attaching a camcorder to a telescope which allows the camcorder to be moved with the telescope to follow celestial bodies and record events such as eclipses. The means provides a rigid mounting bar, an adjustable sliding connector mounted on the bar, a bracket to align a camcorder at an angle to the optical tube and an adjustment rail attached to the bracket. The adjustment rail allows the camcorder to be aligned with the eyepiece of the telescope and to be withdrawn to change the eyepiece without altering the alignment of the camcorder and eyepiece.

Abstract: A camera crane has a boom arm pivotably connected to a post assembly. The boom arm is extendible via an extension accessory kit. A track section is pivotably attached to the front end of the boom arm, and is leveled via leveling rods. The boom arm has a joggled section to provide clearance for a camera operator. A camera frame carrying a camera is linearly moveable along the track section. Pivot joints provide for adjustable drag on pivoting movement, without backlash or slip/stick movement. The track section is provided with a track frame and a slide head, so that the track section can be used apart from the crane.

Abstract: A camera positioning mechanism including a secondary pan mechanism for rotating the camera about a secondary pan axis, the secondary pan mechanism is mounted on the tilt mechanism and the camera is mounted on the secondary pan mechanism.

Abstract: An adjustable camera mounting device or bracket is disclosed. The camera mounting device includes a base member having a curved recess portion which receives a camera mounting member having a complementary curved configuration. A spring-biased pressure member and oppositely positioned guide members are mounted within the curved recess portion of the base member and are received within a complementary groove in the camera mounting member permitting the camera mounting member to be rotatably movable within the base member. Spaced-apart pressure members provided within the base member apply a compressive force to the camera mounting member permitting the camera mounting member to be rotatable within the curved recess portion of the base member and to be grippingly retained after the desired orientation of the camera has been attained.

Abstract: A housing for a surveillance camera has an upper housing that is cylindrical and made of steel or the like to withstand ballistic attack. The upper housing houses the pan-and-tilt mechanism, which is suspended from the inside of the upper housing. The camera is carried by the pan-and-tilt mechanism, and extends into a lower, transparent, housing. An inner liner is within the lower housing and covers the camera, the inner liner being made of hardened aluminum or the like to withstand ballistic attack. The inner liner covers the camera, except that a slot allows the camera lens to receive images through the lower housing. A shield is fixed to the camera to move with the camera, covering the slot in the inner liner, the shield defining one opening for the camera lens. The inner liner and the shield are dark in color to prevent visual location of the camera lens, and a polymeric guard physically protects the camera lens.

Abstract: A camera crane has a spring balancing system for better maintaining the crane arm in balance as the crane arm is raised and lowered a spring link is pivotally attached to a support frame on a pivot access. Spring posts are attached to the crane arm section. Springs extend from the spring link to the spring posts. As the crane arm is raised, the springs exert a counterbalancing force. The spring balancing system can be disengaged by removing a pin extending through the spring link into the support.

Abstract: A surgical theater apparatus for suspending from a ceiling structural member of a hospital includes a central hub mountable to the ceiling structural member to rotate about a rotation axis. The hub has a pivot axis spaced apart from the rotation axis. First and second devices, such as surgical lights, a cameras, and monitors, are mounted to a first end of a first device arm and a first end of a second device arm, respectively. A second end of the first device arm is mounted to the hub for movement about the rotation axis and about the pivot axis. A second end of the second device arm is mounted to the hub for movement about the rotation axis. The pivot axis and the rotation axis are parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a support element, a frame or enclosure rotatably attached to the support element and a camera rotatably attached to the frame or enclosure. The frame or enclosure can rotate about a subject placed on the support element in the horizontal and in the vertical. A camera mounted on the frame or enclosure rotates about the subject with the frame or enclosure and can also move toward or away from the subject. The frame can be covered with translucent material to create an enclosure around the subject and lighting may be applied either from outside the enclosure or inside the enclosure by placing lights affixed to the external frame through the material. In one embodiment, solid translucent material such as plexiglass can be both the frame and the enclosure. The support element includes at least one arm connected to a stage support which mounts a rotatable stage upon which the subject to be photographed is placed.

Abstract: A camera crane has a boom arm pivotably connected to a post assembly. A track section is pivotably attached to the front end of the boom arm, and is leveled via leveling rods. A camera frame carrying a camera is linearly moveable along the track section. Pivot joints provide for adjustable drag on pivoting movement, without backlash or slip/stick movement. A remote control accessory is attached to the crane to provide remote movement of the camera platform using joystick controllers.

Abstract: A vertical plane counter-balancing structure for a camera includes a device for fixing a camera, a support, a first pulley system including first and second pulleys, an elastic device, a first rope or cable connected between the elastic device and the support over the first pulley, and a second rope or cable connected between the elastic device and the support over the second pulley. The first and second pulleys have axes that are offset from one another and that are movable in a vertical direction. The first rope or cable compresses the elastic device when the support inclines at an angle between 0 and −90° with respect to the vertical direction, and the second rope or cable compresses the elastic device when the support inclines at an angle between 0 and +90° with respect to the vertical direction. A pair of fixed pulleys (i.e.

Abstract: A base portion of a camera is mounted on a side wall of a display unit of a personal computer by a mounting mechanism. The base portion is coupled with a first movable portion rotatable around a first rotation axis that extends perpendicular to the side wall. The first movable portion is coupled with a second movable portion rotatable around a second rotation axis that extends parallel to the side wall. The second movable portion is provided with an image pickup portion for picking up an image of a subject.

Abstract: A camera mount for supporting a camera in a motor vehicle in which an elongated tubular body supports a pivotally mounted camera with the tubular body attached to headrest supports in a seat of a vehicle with the camera disposed substantially centrally relative to a central axis of the vehicle beyond a view point of an eye of an occupant of the seat nearest the centerline of the vehicle such that the imaging apparatus is unobstructed for receiving images by use of the seat.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation and viewing of stereoscopic immersive images. By creating two immersive images from an offset camera platform, the illusion of depth can be provided by a left and right view in the form of an interactive panoramic image. By capturing two immersive images on a fixture with horizontal separation of the centers of each immersive image, each constructed from a sequence of fisheye images that are captured in a constant direction and seamed together, two files that can be used to produce a stereoscopic display are created. The resulting files can be displayed using any number of stereoscopic displays including dual monitors, one for each eye, or shuttered displays for each eye from a single monitor, or displays with polarized filters directing separate views to each eye.

Abstract: A device for mounting a structure, such as a video camera, on a support includes a base and an arm projecting from the base. The video camera rests on one surface of the base and another surface rests on the support. The arm is adapted for insertion into a recessed cavity in the support, such as an antenna hole in a television set to provide a stable mounting device for the video camera. The angle of the video camera can be altered by pivoting the camera around the arm.

Abstract: For extended long-post operation of a Steadicam®-type camera stabilizer while retaining static and dynamic balance throughout the entire range of post sizes and various component weights, the present invention is directed to an arrangement of telescoping posts, component positioning hardware, electrical wire retracting hardware, and optional hardware to augment rigidity.

Abstract: A video camera mounting apparatus for mounting to a bow. The video camera mounting apparatus is mountable in the stabilizer mounting hole of a bow. The apparatus comprises a camera support for supporting the video camera thereon. The camera support comprises a first plate and a second plate. The second plate is fixedly coupled to an edge of the first plate. A camera support mounting apparatus for mounting the camera support to the bow comprises a bore in the second plate, and a securing means for releasably securing the second plate to the bore. The securing means is inserted through the bore in the second plate and into the stabilizer mounting hole.