GB2349024A

GB2349024A - A remote viewfinder for video and still cameras

Info

Publication number: GB2349024A
Application number: GB9908267A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suzanne Slaney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-13
Filing date: 1999-04-13
Publication date: 2000-10-18
Also published as: GB9908267D0

Abstract

A camera viewfinder comprising an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)) screen 2 with a polycarbonate magnifying lens 1 fitted in an elasticated eyepiece 5 over one eye of the camera operator which allows the camera operator a degree of independence in that the position of the camera viewfinder does not need to be in line with the camera operators eyes in order for the camera operator to accurately monitor what is being photographed. The connection between the viewfinder and camera may be made by expanding coiled wire 4 or by R.F. (Radio Frequency Transmission) (Fig 2 not shown, 2, 7).

Description

A Remote Viewfinder for Digital Video and Still Cameras and Analogue Video and Film Cameras.

This invention relates to an eye mounted viewnnder connected to a camera by a length of coiled expanding wire or by a RF. (Radio Frequency) transmitter.

Lightweight high quality digital video and still cameras are now in everyday use for electronic news gathering, television documentaries and mainstream television production work. Similarly the same digital video and still cameras or lightweight analogue video cameras are used by the general public for home and private use. They all have one thing in common, monitoring what is being picked up by the lens is done, either through an attached viewnnder or small screen attached on the camera body, or by connection through an external television monitor which is independently powered.

This inhibits the position of camera and viewfinder in relation to the position of the camera operator, in that the operator either has to look through the viewSinder, or at the viewfinder screen attached to the camera, or at the television monitor in order to accurately monitor what is being recorded to tape. Even with the rotatable fold open viewfinder design available on some video cameras the position of the camera to operator is still inhibited by the operator's angle of vision to a very small screen and the position of that screen, in other words the operator still has to look at the camera.

This invention provides a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) viewfinder Fig. l (2) Fig. 2 (2) mounted in an eye patch secured around the head and over one eye by an elasticated band (Fig. l. (5) Fig. 2. (6) and connected to the camera either by an R. F. transmitter/receiver (Fig. 2. (4 & 7) or by a length of coiled expanding wire (Fig. l. (4) plugged into the camera's viewfinder socket. The signal is transmitted to the detachable viewflnder in exactly the same manner as it would be to the viewfinder on the camera.

Only now the location and position of the camera operator's head in relation to the position of the camera is virtually independent inhibited only by either the length of cable used or the strength of the RF. transmitter. Moreover because the viewfinder is effectively clamped over one eye the accuracy of the monitoring process far exceeds the previous alternative methods and in addition, since only one eye is used and the head does not need to be in a fixed position the other eye is free to look elsewhere and the head is free to rotate allowing the operator to be aware and observant in his surroundings especially useful when filming in or over a crowd or the camera and operator are required to move while filming.

With this invention the camera can be held above the head, at any angle, pointed round corners or indeed any-combination of all of these whilst moving totally independently of the camera operators head position. In addition the unit will be cheap, require no additional external power except batteries (Fig. 2. (S) in the case of the RF. unit and take up only a small amount of space Figure 1. Shows an exploded section of the invention using a wire connection and the components which comprise it.

Figure 2. Shows an exploded section of the invention using an R. F. connection and the components which comprise it.

KEY TO DRAWINGS.

Fig. 1.

1. Polycarbonate Magnifying Lens. 2. LCD Screen (Black and White or Colour) 3. Clip which holds lens in place over LCD screen 4. Connecting Wire To Camera 5. Cover piece into which assembled unit fits which in turn is held over an eye by an elasticated strap.

Fig. 2 1. Polycarbonate Magnifying Lens. 2. LCD Screen (Black and White or Colour) 3. Clip which holds lens in place over LCD screen 4. R. F. Receiver 5. Batteries 6. Cover piece into which assembled unit fits which in turn is held over an eye by an elasticated strap 7. RF. Transmitter Fitted to Camera.

Claims

1. A viewfinder mounted in an elasticated sling which can be fastened over one eye allowing independent movement of the head in relation to the position of the camera.

2. A viewfinder substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.