Wearable headgear can be equipped with a camera. This allows for a variety of applications including recording a video or allowing for a remote viewer to see what a wearer of the headgear is seeing and to communicate with the wearer. In sports and outdoor activities, athletes and adventurers use them to capture dynamic, immersive footage of their experiences, from skydiving to mountain biking. In professional settings, these devices serve practical purposes; for instance, in construction, they can be used for documenting site progress or in emergency services for real-time situational assessment. Furthermore, in creative fields like filmmaking and content creation, these headgears offer a unique vantage point, allowing for the capture of hands-free, point-of-view footage. Additionally, in the realm of security and law enforcement, they offer a means of recording operations and interactions, adding a layer of accountability and documentation. This blend of practicality and innovation makes camera-equipped wearable headgear a versatile tool in both professional and recreational arenas. Many of these headgear are configured to restrain all necessary components for operation of the camera in one location on the user's head.
At a high level, the technology described herein includes systems for a camera-based wearable headgear.
For instance, a camera-based wearable headgear can have a camera cradle. The camera cradle can have a first end opposite a second end as well as a camera to record or broadcast a video. In some aspects, the camera cradle can be located on a front of a user's head so that the camera can have the same view as the wearer. To secure the camera cradle to the user's head, the headgear can have a fixed length strap extending from the first end of the camera cradle and a variable length strap extending from the second end of the camera cradle.
In some aspects, a battery housing can be included having a first end opposite a second end. The fixed length strap can have a first mount extending within the camera cradle to secure the camera cradle with the fixed length strap, and a second mount extending within the battery housing to secure the battery housing with the fixed length strap. Additionally, in some aspects, a pad is included that has a first pad end proximate the second end of the camera cradle and at least partially extends under a body of the camera cradle.
This summary is intended to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description section of this disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the technology will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or learned by practice of the technology.
The present technology is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
Conventional camera-based headgear often encounters several problems, particularly when integrating the camera and battery in a single, non-modular unit. Conventional headgear are often not versatile enough to be comfortably used in a variety of settings, from professional tasks to recreational activities. These issues need to be addressed for a more functional and comfortable user experience.
For example, in traditional designs, where the camera and battery are housed together, there tends to be an uneven weight distribution. Conventional headgear often lacks sufficient adjustability to accommodate different head sizes and shapes comfortably. The absence of a variable-length strap for fit adjustment exacerbates this issue. Integrating the battery with the camera often limits the size and capacity of the battery, reducing operational time and potentially leading to longer charging periods. Conventional headgear can also make it challenging to replace or upgrade individual components like the battery or camera, often necessitating the replacement of the entire unit. The front-heavy design of traditional headgear can also cause the camera to slip or move positions when in use, as it fails to counterbalance the weight effectively. The need to incorporate a battery within the camera module often results in bulkier and heavier camera units, which can be obtrusive and less comfortable for the user. Furthermore, the lack of integrated cable management in traditional designs can lead to issues with entanglement, inconvenience, and a less streamlined appearance. Overall, these design limitations can lead to a compromised user experience, with reduced comfort, convenience, and functionality.
In order to address these issues, the technology described herein includes a camera-based wearable headgear that includes modular components, balanced weight distribution, and improved adjustability without sacrificing cable management considerations to enhance user comfort, safety, and the overall functionality of the headgear. For example, separating the battery component from the camera in wearable headgear, where the camera is mounted at the front and the battery is placed at the back of the user's head, offers several advantages, particularly when considering functionality aspects. By positioning the battery at the back and the camera at the front, the headgear achieves a more balanced weight distribution. This minimizes the load on any single point on the head, enhancing comfort for the wearer, especially during prolonged use. Furthermore, the use of a fixed-length strap with integrated power cables ensures a stable and secure fit, as it prevents excessive movement of the headgear. At the same time, the variable-length strap allows for adjustability, accommodating different head sizes and shapes, and enabling users to find the most comfortable fit. Additionally, integrating power cables into one of the straps not only serves a functional purpose but also helps in managing and concealing cables, reducing the risk of entanglement. This separation also minimizes the risk of overheating in the camera itself, as heat sources are distributed. Placing the heavier battery at the back can also help counterbalance the weight of the camera at the front, which can help ergonomic balance of the headgear. Having a separate battery unit also allows for the inclusion of a larger or more efficient battery without adding bulk to the camera module. This can lead to longer operational times and potentially faster charging capabilities. Furthermore, separating the battery from the camera module makes it easier to replace or upgrade individual components. If the battery degrades or a more advanced camera is needed, only the specific part can be swapped out without the need to replace the entire headgear. With the battery housed separately, the camera unit can also be made more compact and lightweight. This can lead to a less obtrusive design and may offer more flexibility in terms of camera module design and placement. In summary, the camera-based headgear presently disclosed offers significant ergonomic, functional, and safety benefits, making the device more user-friendly and adaptable to various needs and environments when compared to conventional camera-based headgear.
One example of a suitable camera-based headgear can have a camera cradle. The camera cradle can have a first camera cradle end opposite a second camera cradle end as well as a camera to record and/or broadcast a video. The camera cradle can be located on a front of a user's head so that the camera can have the same view as the wearer. To secure the camera cradle to the user's head, the headgear can have a fixed length strap extending from the first camera cradle end and a variable length strap extending from the second camera cradle end. In some aspects, a battery housing can be included having a first battery housing end opposite a second battery housing end. The fixed length strap can have a first mount extending within the camera cradle and securing the camera cradle with the fixed length strap, and a second mount extending within the battery housing and securing the battery housing with the fixed length strap. When the variable length strap is in a fully retracted state, the variable length strap is shorter than the fixed length strap, and when it is in a fully extended state, the variable length strap is longer than the fixed length strap.
Additionally, a pad can be included that has a first pad end proximate the second camera cradle end and at least partially extends under a body of the camera cradle. The headgear can include a fixed length power cable extending from a battery housing and through the fixed length strap, wherein the fixed length power cable electrically couples a battery at the battery housing with the camera. The headgear can also include a vertical arm coupled to the camera cradle at the first camera cradle end, and the camera is coupled to the vertical arm.
The aforementioned embodiments have been provided as examples of the technology that may be practiced from the present disclosure. They are intended to be examples and are provided to aid in understanding the technology and its benefits. Additional features and embodiments are further described with reference to the figures.
Referring initially to
The headgear 100 includes a camera cradle 102 and a battery housing 108 secured by one or more of a fixed length strap 104 and a variable length strap 106. The camera cradle 102 can be generally positioned at a front of a user's head while the battery housing 108 can be generally positioned at a back of the user's head to counterbalance the camera cradle 102 in a wearable configuration. Placing the battery housing 108 generally at the back of the user's head can still provide adequate counterbalancing when a length of the variable length strap 106 is adjusted. Although the camera cradle 102 and the battery housing 108 are pictured as symmetrical in
For example, as seen in
The fixed length strap 104 can be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material (e.g., neoprene, silicon, latex, thermoplastics, and the like) with some flexibility so that the positioning of the camera cradle 102 relative to the battery housing 108 can generally be maintained while still allowing the headgear 100 to be adaptable for a particular user's head. For example, materials with a Shore A hardness of about 50-90 can be used. In some cases, a Shore A hardness of 50-90 can be used.
The variable length strap 106 can be comprised of a pliable, elastic, or otherwise adjustable material for added comfort and adjustability. One or more variable length strap adjusters 150 (
The camera cradle 102 of the headgear 100 can have a first camera cradle end 116 opposite a second camera cradle end 118 (
As seen in
In another example, the pad 110 can comprise a first portion having a first pad end proximate the second camera cradle 118 end and a second pad end proximate the first camera cradle end 116. The first portion of the pad 110 in this example can at least partially extend under the body of the camera cradle 102. Continuing with the example, the pad 110 can also comprise a second portion having a first pad end proximate the first battery housing end 120 and a second pad end proximate the second battery housing end 122. The second portion of the pad 110 in this example can at least partially extend under a body of the battery housing 108. In some aspects, the pad 110 can comprise a third portion that extends under the body of the fixed length strap 104; however, in other aspects, the pad 110 may not extend under the fixed length strap 104.
As depicted in
In order to provide the camera 112 with an ability to rotate it's field of view (e.g., vertically), a vertical arm 114 can be included in the headgear 100, as seen in
As depicted in
The second mount 135 can extend at least partially within the battery housing 108 and be coupled to the battery housing 108 with a battery housing cover 126. A lip 128 of the battery housing cover 126 can align with an inner lip 139 of plurality of sidewalls 137 of the second mount 135. One or more attachment points 127 of the battery housing cover 126 can extend through one or more apertures 138 of the second mount 135 that are at least partially defined by the plurality of sidewalls 137. Coupling the fixed length strap 104 within the battery housing 108 also allows for a power cable channel opening 136 for the power cable 160 to be located and extend from the fixed length strap 104 to within the battery housing 108, shielding the electrical equipment from the outside environment while maintaining a secure and stable connection.
Having identified various components utilized herein, it should be understood that any number of components and arrangements can be employed to achieve the desired functionality within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the components in the embodiments depicted in the figures are shown with lines for the sake of conceptual clarity. Other arrangements of these and other components can also be implemented. For example, although some components are depicted as single components, elements described herein can be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, and in any suitable combination and location. Some elements can be omitted altogether.
The subject matter of the present technology is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.
Embodiments described above may be combined with one or more of the specifically described alternatives. In particular, an embodiment that is claimed may contain a reference, in the alternative, to more than one other embodiment. The embodiment that is claimed may specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed.
In addition, words such as “a” and “an,” unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, include the plural as well as the singular. Thus, for example, the constraint of “a feature” is satisfied where one or more features are present. Furthermore, the term “or” includes the conjunctive, the disjunctive, and both (a or b thus includes either a or b, as well as a and b).
Terms, such as “having,” “including,” or the like, and derivatives thereof, are intended to have the same broad meaning as “comprising,” unless otherwise expressly indicated.
Unless explicitly indicated otherwise, ranges are intended to provide example embodiments that are suitable for some aspects and implementations. They are not intended to exclude other embodiments of the technology having values falling outside of the given ranges.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this technology is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects described above, including other advantages that are obvious or inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the described technology may be made without departing from the scope, it is to be understood that all matter described herein or illustrated the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Some example aspects that can be practice from the foregoing description include the following:
Aspect 1: A camera-based wearable headgear comprising a camera cradle comprising a camera and having a first cradle end opposite a second cradle end; a fixed length strap of the headgear extending from the camera cradle at the first cradle end; and a variable length strap of the headgear extending from the camera cradle at the second cradle end.
Aspect 2: Aspect 1, further comprising a fixed length power cable extending from a battery housing and through the fixed length strap, wherein the fixed length power cable electrically couples a battery at the battery housing with the camera.
Aspect 3: Any of Aspects 1-2, further comprising a battery housing comprising a first housing end opposite a second housing end, wherein the fixed length strap extends from the camera cradle at the first cradle end to the first housing end, and wherein the variable length strap extends from the camera cradle at the second cradle end to the second housing end.
Aspect 4: Aspect 3, wherein the fixed length strap comprises a first mount extending within the camera cradle and securing the camera cradle with the fixed length strap, and wherein the fixed length strap comprises a second mount extending within the battery housing and securing the battery housing with the fixed length strap.
Aspect 5: Any of Aspects 4-5, wherein, in a fully retracted state, the variable length strap is shorter than the fixed length strap, and wherein, in a fully extended state, the variable length strap is longer than the fixed length strap.
Aspect 6: Any of Aspects 1-5, wherein a vertical arm is coupled to the camera cradle at the first cradle end, and wherein the camera is coupled to the vertical arm.
Aspect 7: Any of Aspects 1-6, further comprising a pad that comprises a first pad end proximate the second cradle end, wherein the pad at least partially extends under a body of the camera cradle.
Aspect 8: Aspect 7, wherein the pad further comprises a second pad end opposite the first pad end, the second pad end proximate the first camera cradle end.
Aspect 9: A camera-based wearable headgear comprising a camera having a first cradle end opposite a second cradle end; a battery housing comprising a first housing end opposite a second housing end; and a fixed length strap of the headgear extending from the camera cradle at the first cradle end to the first housing end.
Aspect 10: Aspect 9, further comprising a fixed length power cable extending from the battery housing and through the fixed length strap, wherein the fixed length power cable electrically couples a battery at the battery housing with the camera.
Aspect 11: Any of Aspects 9-10, wherein the fixed length strap comprises a first mount extending within the camera cradle and securing the camera cradle with the fixed length strap, and wherein the fixed length strap comprises a second mount extending within the battery housing and securing the battery housing with the fixed length strap.
Aspect 12: Any of Aspects 9-11, further comprising a pad that comprises a first pad end proximate the second camera cradle end and a second pad end proximate the first camera cradle end, wherein the pad at least partially extends under a body of the camera cradle.
Aspect 13: Any of Aspects 9-12, wherein a vertical arm is coupled to the camera cradle at the first cradle end, and wherein the camera is coupled to the vertical arm.
Aspect 14: Any of Aspects 9-13, further comprising a variable length strap of the headgear extending from the camera cradle at the second cradle end to the second housing end, wherein, in a fully retracted state, the variable length strap is shorter than the fixed length strap, and wherein, in a fully extended state, the variable length strap is longer than the fixed length strap.
Aspect 15: A camera-based wearable headgear comprising a camera cradle comprising a camera and having a first cradle end opposite a second cradle end; a fixed length strap comprising a first mount extending within the camera cradle and securing the camera cradle with the fixed length strap, wherein a body of the fixed length strap extends from the camera cradle at the first cradle end; and a pad comprising a first pad end proximate the second cradle end, wherein the pad at least partially extends under a body of the camera cradle.
Aspect 16: Aspect 15, further comprising a battery housing comprising a first housing end opposite a second housing end, wherein the fixed length strap extends from the camera cradle at the first cradle end to the first housing end, and wherein the variable length strap extends from the camera cradle at the second cradle end to the second housing end.
Aspect 17: Aspect 16, wherein the fixed length strap comprises a second mount extending within the battery housing and securing the battery housing with the fixed length strap.
Aspect 18: Any of Aspects 16-17, further comprising a variable length strap of the headgear extending from the camera cradle at the second cradle end to the second housing end, wherein, in a fully retracted state, the variable length strap is shorter than the fixed length strap, and wherein, in a fully extended state, the variable length strap is longer than the fixed length strap.
Aspect 19: Any of Aspects 16-18, wherein the pad further comprises a second pad end proximate the first camera cradle end.
Aspect 20: Any of Aspects 15-19, wherein a vertical arm is coupled to the camera cradle at the first cradle end, and wherein the camera is coupled to the vertical arm.