Wearable Camera Apparatus

Abstract

A wearable camera apparatus for taking photographs and videos is provided. The wearable camera apparatus comprises a camera housing and a camera mounted within the camera housing. A lens is mounted on the camera housing with the lens being in visual communication with the camera. A power button is mounted to the camera housing with the power button alternatingly depressible to power the camera on and to power the camera off. A selecting mechanism selects between photographs and videos. A mounting system is secured to the camera housing for releasably securing the camera housing to an object. The camera providing a simple and accessible means of capturing pictures and video.

Claims

1. A wearable camera apparatus for taking photographs and videos, the wearable camera apparatus comprising: a camera housing; a camera mounted within the camera housing; a lens mounted on the camera housing, the lens being in visual communication with the camera; a power button mounted to the camera housing, the power button alternatingly depressible to power the camera on and to power the camera off; selecting means for selecting between photographs and videos; and a mounting system secured to the camera housing for releasably securing the camera housing to an object; wherein the camera provides a simple and accessible means of capturing pictures and video.

2. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the camera is a digital camera having automatic zoom and focus, self-setting, and stop action lens for both time lapse pictures and videography.

3. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the camera housing has a substantially cuboid or cube shape, the camera housing having a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface.

4. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lens is mounted on the front surface of the camera housing.

5. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 3 wherein the power button is mounted to the top surface of the camera housing.

6. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: a photo button mounted to the camera housing; and a video button mounted to the camera housing.

7. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 6 wherein upon powering up the camera, the camera presents itself in the photography mode capable of taking a photograph of a desired subject, and wherein upon depressing the video button, the camera changes to a video mode capable of taking videos.

8. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 3 and further comprising: wherein the selecting means is mounted to the top surface of the camera housing.

9. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 3 wherein the mounting system is mounted to the second side surface of the camera housing.

10. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting system is an attachment clip, the attachment clip comprising: a clip housing secured directly to the camera housing, the clip housing having an aperture formed therein; an adjusting stem having a mounting portion and a securing portion angled from the mounting portion, the mounting portion of the adjusting stem slidably receivable within the aperture of the clip housing; and a securement mechanism extending through the clip housing against the mounting portion of the adjusting stem to releasably secure the adjusting stem in a desired location.

11. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: an operating system selected from the group consisting of software or application with photographs and videos are saved directly to the software or application, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a slot formed in the camera for receiving an SD card so all the images and videos can be saved direct on the camera.

12. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 11 wherein the smartphone or tablet computer has a software application programmed allowing the camera to zoom, focus, snap, and record.

13. A method for taking photographs and videos, the method comprising: providing a camera housing; mounting a camera within the camera housing; mounting a lens on the camera housing; visually communicating between the lens and the camera; mounting a power button to the camera housing; alternatingly depressing the power button to power the camera on and to power the camera off; selecting between photographs and videos; releasably securing the camera housing to an object; and providing a simple and accessible means of capturing pictures and video.

14. A wearable camera apparatus for taking photographs and videos, the wearable camera apparatus comprising: a camera housing having a substantially cuboid or cube shape, the camera housing having a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; a camera mounted within the camera housing; a lens mounted on the front surface of the camera housing, the lens being in visual communication with the camera; a power button mounted on the top surface of the camera housing, the power button alternatingly depressible to power the camera on and to power the camera off; a photo button mounted on the top surface of the camera housing; and a video button mounted on the top surface of the camera housing; and a mounting system secured to second side surface of the camera housing for releasably securing the camera housing to an object; wherein the camera provides a simple and accessible means of capturing pictures and video.

15. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 14 wherein the camera is a digital camera having automatic zoom and focus, self-setting, and stop action lens for both time lapse pictures and videography.

16. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 14 wherein upon powering up the camera, the camera presents itself in the photography mode capable of taking a photograph of a desired subject, and wherein upon depressing the video button, the camera changes to a video mode capable of taking videos.

17. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 14 wherein the mounting system is an attachment clip, the attachment clip comprising: a clip housing secured directly to the camera housing, the clip housing having an aperture formed therein; an adjusting stem having a mounting portion and a securing portion angled from the mounting portion, the mounting portion of the adjusting stem slidably receivable within the aperture of the clip housing; and a securement mechanism extending through the clip housing against the mounting portion of the adjusting stem to releasably secure the adjusting stem in a desired location.

18. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 17 wherein the securement mechanism is friction.

19. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 14 and further comprising: Bluetooth wireless connectivity for syncing the camera to an electronic smartphone or tablet computer.

20. The wearable camera apparatus of claim 19 wherein the smartphone or tablet computer has a software application programmed allowing the camera to zoom, focus, snap, and record.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a wearable camera apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a camera with a camera lens and an attachment clip and having a video button, a photo button, and a power on and off button.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the wearable camera apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the camera with the camera lens and the attachment clip and having the video button, the photo button, and the power on and off button.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the wearable camera apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the camera releasably attached to a frame of eyeglasses.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a smartphone containing an application for downloading photos and video from the wearable camera apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, to the smartphone by means of Bluetooth or other compatible technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention, hereinafter referred to as a Wearable Camera Apparatus, indicated generally at 10, is a compact picture and video camera 12 that releasably mounts on the frames 13 of eyeglasses or sunglasses 14 or on any other place. Controlled by an external device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, the camera 12 of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention provides both professional and amateur photographers with a simple and accessible means of capturing pictures and video wherever they may be.

[0019] The Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a camera 12 enclosed within a camera housing 16. The camera 12 of the present invention is a state of the art, digital model with many features inherent in top of the line cameras including automatic zoom and focus, self-setting, and stop action lens for both time lapse pictures and videography.

[0020] The camera housing 16 of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention preferably has a substantially cuboid or cube shape although having a camera housing 16 with a different shape is within the scope of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the camera housing 16 has a front surface, a rear surface substantially opposite the front surface, a top surface, a bottom surface substantially opposite the top surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface substantially opposite the first side surface. In a preferred embodiment, the camera housing 16 is small and compact measuring approximately one-half (½″) inch in height, one-half (½″) inch in depth, and one and one-half (1½″) inches in width although constructing the camera housing 16 with different measurements is within the scope of the present invention.

[0021] In addition, the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a lens 18 mounted on the front surface of the camera housing 16. The lens 18 is in visual communication with the camera 12 positioned within the camera housing 16. It should be noted that any type of photography lens 18 is within the scope of the present invention and the present invention should not be limited by any particular type of lens 18 described or illustrated herein.

[0022] The Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention further includes a power button 20 preferably mounted to the top surface of the camera housing 16. The power button 20 can be depressed to power the camera 12 on and then depressed again to power the camera 12 off. Instead of being a depressible button, the power button 20 can also be a toggle or other type of switch depending on the desires of the manufacturer and/or end user.

[0023] Furthermore, the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a video button 22 and a photo button 24 preferably mounted to the top surface of the camera housing 16. Preferably, in a default mode upon powering up the camera 12, the camera 12 presents itself in the photography mode capable of taking a photograph of a desired subject. Upon depressing the video button 22, the camera 12 changes to a video mode capable of taking videos, rather than still photographs. To change back into the photography mode, the user simply depresses the photo button 24 thereby allowing the camera 12 to take still photographs once again.

[0024] Further yet, the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a mounting system 26 secured to one of the surfaces of the camera housing 16. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting system 26 is an attachment clip mounted to the second side surface of the camera housing 16. The attachment clip 28 is configured to releasably secure the camera 12 to the eyeglass or sunglass frames 13 or any other desire object. It should be noted that while the mounting system 26 has been described and illustrated as being an attachment clip 28, it is within the scope of the present invention for the mounting system 26 to by any type of mounting system 26 capable of releasably securing the camera 12 to the eyeglass or sunglass frames 13.

[0025] The attachment clip 28 of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a clip housing 30 secured directly to the second side of the camera housing 16 and an adjusting stem 32 having a mounting portion 34 and a securing portion 36 angled from the mounting portion 34. In a preferred embodiment, the securing portion 36 of the adjusting stem 32 is approximately perpendicular to the mounting portion 34. The clip housing 30 has an aperture for slidably receiving the mounting portion 34 of the adjusting stem 32 within the aperture of the clip housing 30. A push button locking mechanism 38, tightening knob, or the like extends through the clip housing 30 tightenable against the mounting portion 34 of the adjusting stem 32 to releasably secure the adjusting stem 32 in a desired location. Friction can also be used to releasably secure the adjusting stem 32 in the desired location.

[0026] In practice of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention, the eyeglass or sunglass frame 13 is positioned between the securing portion 36 of the adjusting stem 32 and the second side surface of the camera housing 16. The adjusting stem 32 is then manipulated toward the second side surface of the camera housing 16 thereby sandwiching the eyeglass or sunglass frame 13 between the securing portion 36 of the adjusting stem 32 and the second side surface of the camera housing 16. Upon activating the push button locking mechanism 38, tightening of the tightening knob against the mounting portion 34 of the adjusting stem 32, or friction, the camera 16 is releasably securable to any sized eyeglass frame 13.

[0027] To assist in operation, the camera 12 of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention possesses Bluetooth capability for syncing the camera 12 to an electronic smartphone 40 or tablet computer. The smartphone 40 or tablet computer has downloaded a software or application (using the internet) programmed allowing the user to use the keypads of these electronics to zoom, focus, snap, and record. All photographs and videos are saved directly to the software or application. If there is no internet connection, the user will have the option to connect via Bluetooth and have the same features as stated previously. Finally, the camera 12 can have a slot for receiving an SD card so all the images and videos can be saved direct on the camera 12. This feature will be very helpful when there is no internet connection and using the Bluetooth feature.

[0028] The Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention is installable and ready for use in a matter of minutes. If a photo or video opportunity captures the eye of a user, only one hand is needed to launch the application of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10. With the camera lens 18 of the camera 12 aimed at the subject, a user simply presses the appropriate buttons on the camera housing 16 to secure the shot. Pictures and video are taken at a moment's notice as the auto focus and speed settings take care of themselves without the need of manual adjustment.

[0029] A technologically advanced digital camera 12 securely mounted to the framework 13 of eyewear 14, the camera 12 of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention facilitates picture taking and video filming with a bare minimum of operation by the user. The camera 12 is instantly ready to snap the most spontaneous of subjects without a driver worrying about losing attention for safe driving or lamenting they have left their photographic equipment at home. Whether driving behind a wheel, performing a physical activity, or wanting to record an event, the camera of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention functions as a safe, hassle free and hands free method of capturing special moments on camera. Durably constructed with fully encompassing functionality, the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 presents limitless capabilities for photographers of all skill levels.

[0030] Also, a big feature of the Wearable Camera Apparatus 10 of the present invention is that the camera 12 and a cell phone work together. In other words, the camera 12 has all the options and features that smartphones offer today as in colors, shades, panoramic views, etc. the options are available on the phone/tablet and the lens 18 of the camera 12 is situated on the users eyeglasses. Also, the camera 12 is preferably waterproof and has a flash for night photos and videos.

[0031] Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.