Remote-control battery powered rain resistance self-video capturing camera mounting device

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to portable video camera filming directional control equipment, and more particularly to battery powered wirelessly remote control weather resistance personal hand-held video camera accessory. This invention requires the user's interaction to determine the correctives of the direction via a generic video camera during the filming process. This present invention is rain resistance and suitable for outdoor application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Personal handheld video camera has been very popular for many years. People use them in filming of indoor and outdoor event everyday. However, the camera operators are usually not in the film themselves. Sometimes tripods are used but still require someone to keep moving the filming direction in order to capture the whole occasions momentarily. It is a shame when reviewing the memory of the filmed video and the head of household is always not in the film.

[0003] It is always a possibility for the video camera to get wet when it is mounted on a tripod when filming home events in a cloudy day where rain is unpredictable especially in tropical climate. Sometimes video camera can be damaged by rain.

[0004] Thus there is a need for a video camera stand to provide the operator to control the filming direction from a remote distance. This camera stand should simulate a person's hand such that it can rotate back and forth horizontally and tilt up and down vertically. This will allow the operator to capture his/her own image in the video record.

[0005] Further, there is also a need for a video camera rain protector such that light rain or sudden rain will not damage the video camera. In addition, this device has to be low cost, portable, easy to operate, light weight, battery powered and rugged.

[0006] The present invention provides such a video camera mounting system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0007] Field of Search

[0008] Intern'l Class: G03B 017/00; H04B 007/24; H04L 7/24

[0009] U.S. Class 352/243, 242, 244, 038; 367/117

U.S. Patent Documents

[0010]<tables id="TABLE-US-00001" num="1"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="84PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="42PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="56PT" align="center" /><thead><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="4" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>4,655,567</entry><entry>Apr. 7, 1987</entry><entry>Morley</entry><entry>352/243</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="1"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="217PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>  This patent is of old technology. Wireless remote controlling</entry></row><row><entry>electronics are expensive at that time and not readily available; and the</entry></row><row><entry>invention has nothing to do with the wireless technology.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="84PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="42PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="56PT" align="center" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>5,073,824</entry><entry>Jun. 15, 1990</entry><entry>Vertin</entry><entry>348/211</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="1"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="217PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>  This invention is a very costly remote control and camera</entry></row><row><entry>combination. It is not a stand-alone portable camera mounting device for</entry></row><row><entry>generic video camera.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="84PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="42PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="56PT" align="center" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>5,111,288</entry><entry>Oct. 8, 1991</entry><entry>Blackshear</entry><entry>348/143</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="1"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="217PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>  This invention is not wirelessly remote control.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="84PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="42PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="56PT" align="center" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>5,179,421</entry><entry>Jan. 12, 1993</entry><entry>Parker</entry><entry>356/139</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="1"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="217PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>  This invention is using infrared (IR) as a measuring means for</entry></row><row><entry>position calculation.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="91PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="63PT" align="center" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>5,181,120</entry><entry>Jan. 19, 1993</entry><entry>Hickey</entry><entry>348/373</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="1"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="217PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>  This invention is not wirelessly remote control.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="91PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="63PT" align="center" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>5,436,542</entry><entry>Jul. 25, 1995</entry><entry>Petelin</entry><entry>318/567</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="1"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="217PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>  This invention is for telescopic cameras for surgery.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="91PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="63PT" align="center" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>5,568,205</entry><entry>Oct. 22, 1996</entry><entry>Hurwitz</entry><entry>348/732</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="1"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="217PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>  This is an invention on wireless audio/video transmitter system,</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="1" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A wirelessly remote control self-video capturing rain resistance video camera mounting device system is portable, light weight, battery powered, rain resistance and suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. It includes a device controller, a main system, a rain jacket for the main system and a transparent video camera rain shield.

[0012] The device controller includes electronic components and program, which receive input signals, generates signal functions and transmits the signal functions to the main system wirelessly.

[0013] The main system includes mechanical hardware to provide horizontal polar movement and vertical polar movement and video camera mounting device. It also includes electronic components and firmware program, which receive signal functions from the device controller wirelessly and provide electrical driving functions to control the mechanical hardware into precision fine rotational movement of the main system. It also provides the mounting base for the transparent video camera rain shield. The main system is battery powered with power saving features.

[0014] This device supports generic handheld video camera. In practice it gives the best results especially with the remotely controllable video camera, which have the capability of rotating the LCD screen to face the same direction as the video camera focusing direction. This allows the LCD screen to be viewed by the video-recording operator who will determine the preferred view and the zoom magnification to be video recorded. The operator can also instantaneously capture himself/herself into the video record by remotely control the video camera via the video camera controller device.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is the front plan view of the remote-control self-video capturing rain resistance portable video camera mounting system includes a handheld device controller, a main system, a rain jacket covering the main system and a video camera rain shield. In addition a generic handheld video camera is mounted inside the device with an operator holding a video camera remote controller unit to demonstrate the relative usage of the device.

[0017]FIG. 2 is the front plan view of the main system assembly according to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 3 is the cross section view of the main system taken along the line <b>2</b>-<b>2</b> of FIG. 2.

[0019]FIG. 4 is the top plan view of the rotor base and motor with worm system subassemblies depicting a portion of the rotor base, a portion of the vertical motor-worm driver subassembly and a portion of the horizontal motor-worm driver subassembly according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is the top plan view of the video camera mount subassembly depicting a portion of the mounting block, a portion of the video camera locking screw, a portion of the location pin and a portion of the camera seating pad according to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 6 is the cross section view of FIG. 5 taken along <b>3</b>-<b>3</b> depicting a porting of the mounting block, a porting of the camera locking screw, a portion of the camera seating pad, the location pin, spring, and a portion of the spring holder according to present invention.

[0022]FIG. 7 is the top plan view of the rotor and electrical attachment subassembly depicting a portion of the rotor, a portion of the motor for vertical motion with motor cable connecting to the PCB assembly, a portion of the motor for the horizontal motion with motor cable feeding through the opening hole of the rotor and connecting to the PCB assembly; a portion of the PCB assembly with mounting screws, a portion of the battery holder with battery cable connecting to PCB assembly and mounted to the rotor by mounting screws according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 8 is the front view of FIG. 7 taken along <b>4</b>-<b>4</b>.

[0024]FIG. 9 is the exposed front view of the horizontal polar motion mechanical driver system depicting a portion of the rotor, a portion of the stator base, the motor, torque coupler, the bearing, the washers, preload spring, the worm, the worm gear and a portion of the pivot shaft according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 10 is the top plan view taken along <b>5</b>-<b>5</b> of FIG. 9 of the horizontal polar motion mechanical driver system.

[0026]FIG. 11 is the front plan view of the vertical polar motion mechanical driver system depicting a portion of the stage subassembly, a portion of the pivot shaft, a portion of the vertical motion worm gear, the worm, a portion of the rotor base, a portion of the bearing, washers, preload spring, torque coupler, the motor and mounting screw according to the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 12 is the bottom plan view of the stator base depicting a portion of the stator base, traction feet and mounting screws according to the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 13 is the right plan view of the video camera rain shield mounted to the video camera mount subassembly depicting a portion of the video camera mount subassembly, mounting screws, a portion of the shield frame, a portion of the rain protector. A generic handheld video camera is install onto the video camera mount subassembly according to the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 14 is the cross section view taken along <b>6</b>-<b>6</b> of FIG. 13 illustrating the mating relationship between the shield frame and the worm gear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030]FIG. 1 is the front view of the overall system of the remote-control self-video capturing weather resistance portable video camera mounting system, which includes a handheld device controller <b>3</b>, a main system <b>2</b>, a rain jacket <b>4</b> covering the main system <b>2</b> and a camera rain shield subassembly <b>5</b>, according to the present invention. As seen in the figure, a generic handheld video camera <b>6</b> with the LCD screen <b>7</b> is facing the front direction is mounted onto the main system <b>2</b> inside the camera rain shield <b>5</b>.

[0031] The stator base <b>8</b> is the stationary reference of the main system <b>2</b>. The rotor subassembly <b>9</b> rotates relatively to stator base <b>8</b> through the rotational axis. The horizontal rotational motion is driven by the horizontal motion motor-driver-subassembly <b>31</b> and has the capability to rotate in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction infinitely which is defined as without any angular limitation.

[0032] The vertical rotational tilt motion is driven by the vertical motion motor-driver-subassembly <b>26</b>. The video camera is mounted to the video camera mounting subassembly <b>14</b> by the thumbscrew <b>16</b>. The video camera mounting subassembly is mounted to the vertical motion worm gear <b>12</b> by the thumbscrew <b>18</b>. The vertical motion worm gear <b>12</b> is assembled to the rotor subassembly by the pivot shaft <b>11</b>. The vertical motion worm gear <b>12</b> is precisely mated to the vertical motion motor-driver subassembly <b>26</b>. As a result the video camera mounting subassembly <b>14</b> rotates relatively to the rotor subassembly <b>9</b> by pivoting through the centerline axis of the pivot shaft <b>11</b>.

[0033] Both the vertical motion motor-driver-subassembly <b>26</b> and the horizontal motion motor-driver-subassembly <b>31</b> are connected electrically to the main PCBA <b>30</b> and are all mounted to the rotor subassembly <b>9</b>. Power switch <b>101</b> controls the power supply to the PCBA <b>30</b> and is also mounted to the rotor subassembly <b>9</b>.

[0034] In practice, the operator <b>118</b> turns on the power of the video camera <b>6</b> and rotates the LCD screen <b>7</b> of the video camera towards the video camera focusing direction as in the FIG. 1. Then the operator <b>118</b> will switch the video camera <b>6</b> to camera mode, which allows the view to be shown on the LCD screen <b>7</b>. The operator then turns on the power switch of the handheld controller device <b>3</b> and the power switch <b>101</b> of the main system <b>2</b>. The operator <b>118</b> uses the handheld controller <b>3</b> to control the main system <b>2</b> to rotate and tilt the video camera <b>6</b>. Switch <b>89</b> and switch <b>95</b> are spring return 3 position switches with normally set at center neutral position. When the switch <b>95</b> is activated to either left or right direction, the PCBA <b>97</b>, which consists of electronic components and programmable components, of the device controller <b>3</b> will detect the input and generate a signal <b>98</b>. This signal <b>98</b> can be a radio frequency signal or an infrared (IR) signal and is then emitted out wirelessly. The main PCBA <b>30</b> is equipped with signal receiver for either radio frequency signal or infrared (IR) signal matching with PCBA <b>97</b>. This main PCBA <b>30</b> which consists of electronic components and programmable components, will detect the signal <b>98</b> and then generate the electronic driving functions to drive the horizontal motion motor-driver-subassembly <b>31</b>. In results the rotor subassembly will rotate in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction accordingly.

[0035] When the switch <b>89</b> is activated to either up or down direction, the PCBA <b>97</b> of the device controller <b>3</b> will detect the input and generate a signal <b>98</b>. This main PCBA <b>30</b> will detect the signal <b>98</b> and then generate the electronic driving functions to drive the vertical motion motor-driver-subassembly <b>26</b>. In results the video camera mount subassembly will tilt up or down accordingly.

[0036] As the video camera moves to the preferred direction, the operator <b>118</b> can see himself/herself on the LCD screen and use the video camera remote controller <b>119</b> to zoom and record his/her own image.

[0037] The rain jacket <b>4</b> covers and seals off rain from the top and the upper portion of the side of the rotor subassembly <b>9</b>. This rain jacket <b>4</b> is made of soft and elastic material such as polyester, nylon, rubber, and silicon rubber and may be transparent. This soft and elastic material permits the rain jacket <b>4</b> will stretch and fold as the vertical worm gear <b>12</b> tilts up and down. It also protects the power switch <b>101</b> from rain but permit the operator to turn the power switch <b>101</b> on or off from outside of the rain jacket <b>4</b>.

[0038] The video camera rain shield subassembly <b>5</b> is mounted to the worm gear <b>12</b> by thumbscrew <b>110</b>. The shield <b>107</b> is made of transparent material such as polycarbonate, acrylic or glass. It covers the top and all sides of the video camera <b>6</b> and the LCD screen <b>7</b>. It protects the video camera <b>6</b> from rain by let the LCD screen to be viewed from outside. The video camera rain shield subassembly <b>5</b> should be large enough to facilitate a generic handheld video camera with the LCD screen flipped out to the side.

[0039]FIG. 2 is the front view of the main system <b>2</b>, according to present invention. The stator base <b>8</b> is the base support of the complete system. As also seen in FIG. 2-FIG. 13, the rotor cover <b>117</b> protects the inside components from rain. The pivot shaft <b>11</b> passes through the pivot support arm <b>10</b>, then the worm gear <b>12</b> and another pivot support arm <b>10</b>. Then it is locked in place by the washer <b>19</b> and the OD retainer <b>20</b>. As shown at least one pivot support arm <b>10</b> is used to facilitate the supporting structure. This allows the worm gear <b>12</b> to be able to pivot through the axis of the pivot shaft <b>11</b> relatively to the pivot support arm <b>10</b>. The rain jacket <b>4</b> with an opening smaller than the neck <b>13</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b> slips over the neck <b>13</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b>. The elastic property of the materal used of this rain jacket <b>4</b> provides a tight wrap around the neck <b>13</b> and forms a rain seal around the neck <b>13</b>. The rest of the rain jacket <b>4</b> flare out and cover over the top and the upper portion of the vertical wall of the rotor cover <b>117</b>. It results that all components covered by the rain jacket in the outside chamber <b>40</b> will be protected from rain.

[0040] The camera mount <b>14</b> is assembled to the worm gear by the thumbscrew <b>18</b> mounting at the threaded hole <b>28</b> of FIG. 3. As shown a least one thumbscrew will facilitate the assembly. The pad <b>15</b> provide a soft mounting surface for the video camera <b>6</b> which is assembled to the camera mount <b>14</b> by the thumb screw <b>16</b>. The knurl head <b>17</b> of the screw <b>16</b> provides easy assembly processes for mounting and dismounting the video camera.

[0041] This present invention is a portable system. The traction foot <b>21</b> is made of rubber or silicon rubber type material and designed to have high coefficient of friction on the bottom surface. It is adhered to the bottom flare <b>120</b> of the stator base <b>8</b> by means of pressfitting, double sided adhesive tape or adhesive alike. At least 3 traction feet are used to facilitate the support of the main system. As shown, 6 feet are used for better balance. The traction feet provide friction against sliding along the surface where the main system <b>2</b> is resting on. This allows the system to function and be save to operate on some slightly unleveled surfaces such as shelves, tables, car roofs and hoods etc.

[0042] The bottom flare <b>120</b> extends out from the edge of the stator base <b>8</b>. It provides better roll and tilt ratio that the center of gravity of the complete system with video camera <b>6</b> mounted will not be easily knock down accidentally.

[0043]FIG. 3 is the cross section view of FIG. 2 along <b>2</b>-<b>2</b>. It shows the relationship between the rotor subassembly <b>9</b>, rotor <b>22</b> and the stator base <b>8</b>. The worm gear <b>36</b> is mounted onto the stator base <b>8</b> by the screw <b>32</b>. As shown, at least one screw <b>32</b> is used to facilitate the assembly. The rotor <b>22</b> is mounted to the worm gear <b>36</b> by means of the pivot shaft <b>34</b> which is locked in place by the washer <b>33</b> and the OD retainer <b>35</b>. The pivot shaft <b>34</b> is part of the rotor <b>22</b> by assembly, casting, molding or welding. The material choice for the rotor <b>22</b> and the pivot shaft <b>34</b> can be hard plastic, graphite or metal. Phosphorus bronze and stainless steel are the best material choice for the pivot shaft <b>34</b>. The rotor <b>22</b> rotates through the center axis of the pivot shaft <b>34</b>. The ID of the center hole of the worm gear <b>36</b> is slightly larger than the OD of the pivot shaft <b>34</b> and serves as the bearing surface <b>24</b> mating to the OD of the pivot shaft <b>34</b>. The worm gear can be made of hard plastic, graphite or metal. Phosphorus bronze and stainless steel are the best material choice for this worm gear <b>36</b>. Gear lubricant, grease or Teflon coating is applied to the bearing surface <b>24</b> and the OD of the pivot shaft to minimize friction.

[0044] The horizontal motion motor-driver subassembly <b>31</b> is mounted to the rotor <b>8</b> and provides the rotational direction to the rotor <b>8</b>. As a result the rotor <b>8</b> rotates relatively to the stator base <b>8</b>.

[0045] The weather seal <b>23</b> is assembled onto the wall <b>37</b> of the stator base <b>8</b>. The weather seal is made of elastic material such as rubber and silicon rubber. The top surface of the seal <b>23</b> exerts a light pressure against the bottom surface of the rotor <b>22</b> and provides a seal against rain from entering into the inside chamber <b>39</b>. The rotor cover lip <b>121</b> of the rotor cover <b>117</b> covers edge of the top surface of the rotor <b>22</b> and prevents rain from entering into the upper chamber <b>41</b>.

[0046] The main PCBA <b>30</b> is mounted onto the rotor by screw <b>42</b> in the upper chamber <b>41</b>. It is consisted of electronic components and firmware which will receive wireless signals <b>98</b> from the handheld device controller <b>3</b> and transfers them into electronic signal to drive the horizontal motion motor-driver subassembly <b>31</b> and the vertical motion motor-driver subassembly <b>26</b> respectively. The vertical motion motor-driver assembly <b>26</b> is mounted onto the rotor <b>22</b> inside the upper chamber <b>41</b>.

[0047] The worm gear <b>12</b> rotates against the center axis of the pivot shaft <b>11</b>. The ID of the center hole of the worm gear <b>12</b> is slightly larger than the OD of the pivot shaft <b>11</b> and serves as the bearing surface <b>29</b> mating to the OD of the pivot shaft <b>11</b>. This pivot shaft <b>11</b> is made of metal and stainless steel is the best choice. The worm gear can be made of hard plastic like ABS or metal. Phosphorus bronze and stainless steel are the best material choice for this worm gear <b>12</b>. Gear lubricant, grease or Teflon coating is applied to the bearing surface <b>29</b> and the OD of the pivot shaft to minimize friction.

[0048] The shoulder <b>38</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b> is the physical stop for the rain jacket <b>4</b> to slip any further downward. The center opening of the rain jacket <b>4</b> slips over the neck <b>13</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b>. The inside perimeter of this opening is shorter than the outside perimeter of the neck <b>13</b> section of the worm gear <b>12</b>. The elastic material property of the rain jacket <b>4</b> will exert a pressure along the contact area between the center opening of the rain jacket <b>4</b> and the surface of the neck <b>13</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b>. This forms a seal against rain from entering into the outside chamber <b>40</b> area.

[0049]FIG. 4 is the isolated top view of the vertical motion motor-driver subassembly <b>26</b> and the horizontal motion motor-driver subassembly <b>31</b> mounted to the rotor <b>22</b> with a cutout <b>50</b> on the rotor <b>22</b> to show the horizontal motion motor driver assembly <b>31</b>, which is mounted on the bottom side of the rotor <b>22</b>. The opening <b>43</b> is a through hole of rotor <b>22</b> for the electrical cable to go through. Detail illustrations of the power transmission motion mechanism are shown on FIG. 9-FIG. 11.

[0050] Motor support arm <b>44</b> supports the vertical motion motor-driver subassembly <b>26</b>.

[0051] Motor support arm <b>45</b> supports the horizontal motion motor-driver subassembly <b>31</b>.

[0052] Bearing support <b>48</b> supports the vertical motion motor-driver subassembly <b>26</b>.

[0053] Bearing support <b>49</b> supports the horizontal motion motor-driver subassembly <b>31</b>.

[0054] Mounting holes <b>46</b> are for mounting the rotor cover <b>117</b>.

[0055] Mounting holes <b>47</b> are for mounting the battery housing <b>65</b>.

[0056] Mounting holes <b>53</b> are for mounting the PCBA <b>30</b>.

[0057]FIG. 5 is the top view of the camera mount subassembly <b>14</b>. The guide pin <b>58</b> is for orientation of the video camera <b>6</b> and thumb screw <b>16</b> is for mounting the video camera <b>6</b> against the mounting block <b>57</b> firmly with the pad <b>15</b> in between.

[0058]FIG. 6 is the section view of FIG. 5 along <b>3</b>-<b>3</b>. The guide pin <b>58</b> is spring loaded by the spring <b>59</b> and is confined in place by the cap washer <b>60</b>. The guide pin <b>58</b> can recess even to the pad <b>15</b> surface in event that the particular video camera does not have a guide hole. The recess pocket <b>111</b> of the mounting block <b>57</b> is designed to receive the extender edge <b>113</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b>. Further detail is illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0059] Thumbscrew <b>18</b> is to be used to assemble the camera mount subassembly to the worm gear <b>12</b>.

[0060] The mounting block can be made of hard plastic, graphite or metal.

[0061] The pad is made of soft and elastic material like rubber, silicon rubber and Poron pad.

[0062]FIG. 7 is the top view isolating the rotor base electrical attachment subassembly and also seen in FIG. 8. All the electrical and power supplying batteries are mounted to the rotor. The voltage supplied by the batteries is at least 3 volt DC and not more than 27 volt DC. The batteries <b>69</b> are installed inside the battery housing <b>65</b>, which is mounted to the rotor <b>22</b> by fastener <b>68</b> into the mounting hole <b>47</b> of the rotor <b>22</b>. As shown, at least one fastener <b>68</b>, which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms is used to facilitate the assembly. The power switch <b>101</b> is connected with one terminal to the battery power and one terminal to the PCBA <b>30</b> through cable <b>66</b>. It turns on and off the power to the PCBA <b>30</b>. This is one of the power saving feature of the main system <b>2</b>. The PCBA <b>30</b> does not have to activate its components for sensing the signal <b>98</b> when the main system is not meant to be in operation. The motor cable <b>63</b> of the vertical motion motor <b>61</b> is connected to the PCBA <b>30</b>. The motor cable <b>64</b> of the horizontal motion motor <b>62</b> is connected to the PCBA <b>30</b> from the bottom side of the rotor <b>22</b> through the opening <b>43</b>.

[0063] The PCBA <b>30</b> is mounted to the rotor <b>22</b> by fastener <b>67</b> into the mounting hole <b>53</b> of the rotor <b>22</b>. As shown, at least one fastener <b>67</b>, which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms is used to facilitate the assembly.

[0064] The clockwise limit switch <b>99</b> and the counterclockwise limit switch <b>100</b> are mounted to the switch bracket <b>120</b> which is fastened to the pivot support arm <b>10</b> by at least one fastener, which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms is used to facilitate the assembly.

[0065] The clockwise limit switch <b>99</b>, which is connected to PCBA <b>30</b>, sends an electrical signal to the PCBA <b>30</b> whenever it is activated by the worm gear <b>12</b>. The PCBA <b>30</b> is preprogrammed to stop the motor <b>61</b> to keep rotating any further in the clockwise direction. The counterclockwise limit switch <b>100</b>, which is connected to PCBA <b>30</b>, sends an electrical signal to the PCBA <b>30</b> whenever it is activated by the worm gear <b>12</b>. The PCBA <b>30</b> is preprogrammed to stop the motor <b>61</b> to keep rotating any further in the counterclockwise direction.

[0066] The above set of limit switch defines the maximum tilt angle of the camera mounting subassembly <b>14</b>.

[0067]FIG. 8 is the front view from line <b>4</b>-<b>4</b> of FIG. 7. The motor cable <b>64</b> of the horizontal motion motor <b>62</b> begins from the bottom side of the rotor <b>22</b> is fed through the opening <b>43</b> and connected to the PCBA <b>30</b>.

[0068]FIG. 9 is the front view with a portion of the stator wall <b>37</b> cutout to show the mechanism inside. This figure illustrates the worm gear driven horizontal polar motion mechanism. The motor <b>62</b> is mounted to the rotor <b>22</b> by fastener <b>70</b> to motor support arm <b>45</b>. The worm shaft <b>122</b> is assembled to the ID of the mechanical bearing <b>74</b>. The OD of the mechanical bearing <b>74</b> is assembled to the bearing support <b>49</b>. The mechanical bearing <b>74</b> can be plastic bearing, precision bushing, journal bearing, ball bearing or other bearing type mechanism to facilitate the bearing function. It is located in place by the washer <b>73</b>, spring washer <b>75</b>, washer <b>72</b> and OD retainer <b>76</b>. The end of the worm shaft <b>122</b> is attached to torque coupler <b>71</b>. The other end of the torque coupler <b>71</b> is connected to the motor shaft <b>78</b> as shown in FIG. 10. The torque coupler <b>71</b> transmits the motor power to the worm <b>52</b> and can tolerate any axial misalignment between the axis of the motor <b>62</b> and the axis of the worm <b>52</b>. This torque coupler <b>71</b> can be bellow coupling, flexible shaft coupling or other coupling type mechanism to facilitate the above function.

[0069]FIG. 10 is the top section view of FIG. 9 along line <b>5</b>-<b>5</b>. The worm gear <b>36</b> is mounted to the stator base <b>8</b> at the mounting holes <b>77</b> by at least one fastener, which can be screw, rivet or other mounting mechanisms to facilitate the assembly. As the result, the worm gear <b>36</b> is the fixed or stationary base of the horizontal rotational movement.

[0070] The worm <b>52</b> rotates at the same rate as the motor <b>78</b> and the worm gear <b>36</b> will pivot to the next tooth for every rotation of the worm <b>52</b>. In the assembly the worm <b>52</b> and the worm gear <b>36</b> with the same pitch value are precisely mated to each other. The rotor <b>22</b> and all the components assembled to the rotor <b>22</b> rotate around the worm gear referencing to the center axis of the pivot shaft <b>34</b> whenever the motor <b>78</b> rotates. In practice worm gear system provides two advantages to the invention. Firstly, it prevents gear slippage and in turn the electronic system does not have to provide motor holding current to keep the main system <b>2</b> to lock in position. This is a unique power saving feature of this invention. Secondly, it provides a very high gear ratio such that a very low output torque motor <b>78</b> will be able to rotate the main system <b>2</b>.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10, this system of rotor <b>22</b> with all the components assembled to it can rotate relatively to the stator base in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction without angular limitation.

[0072] As switch <b>95</b> of the handheld device controller <b>3</b> receives a signal from the operator, the handheld device controller <b>3</b> will emit the wireless signal <b>98</b>. The main PCBA <b>30</b> of the main system <b>2</b> will detect the signal <b>98</b> and provide an electrical function to the motor <b>62</b>. As a result, the rotor subassembly <b>9</b> will rotate accordingly.

[0073]FIG. 11 is the isolated front view of the vertical rotational motion power transmission system. The motor <b>61</b> is mounted to the rotor <b>22</b> by fastener <b>86</b> to motor support arm <b>44</b>. The worm shaft <b>123</b> is assembled to the ID of the mechanical bearing <b>79</b>. The OD of the mechanical bearing <b>79</b> is assembled to the bearing support <b>48</b>. The mechanical bearing <b>79</b> can be plastic bearing, precision bushing, journal bearing, ball bearing or other bearing type mechanism to facilitate the bearing function. It is located in place by the washer <b>80</b>, spring washer <b>81</b>, washer <b>82</b> and OD retainer <b>83</b>. The end of the worm shaft <b>123</b> is attached to torque coupler <b>84</b>. The other end of the torque coupler <b>84</b> is connected to the motor shaft <b>83</b>. The torque coupler <b>84</b> transmits the motor power to the worm <b>51</b> and can tolerate any axial misalignment between the axis of the motor <b>61</b> and the axis of the worm <b>51</b>. This torque coupler <b>84</b> can be bellow coupling, flexible shaft coupling or other coupling type mechanism to facilitate the above function.

[0074] In the assembly the worm <b>51</b> and the worm gear <b>12</b> are precisely mated to each other.

[0075] This invention provides an easy secured feature for the mounting of the video camera mount subassembly <b>14</b> to the worm gear <b>12</b>. The extended edge <b>113</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b> is inserted into the recess pocket <b>111</b> of the mounting block <b>57</b>. The recess surface <b>112</b> is resting against the extended edge <b>113</b> by gravity. A captive thumbscrew <b>18</b> is used to hold the video camera mount subassembly <b>14</b> safely to the worm gear <b>12</b> by finger-tightening captive thumbscrew <b>18</b> into threaded hole <b>28</b>.

[0076] The worm <b>51</b> rotates at the same rate as the motor <b>61</b> and the worm gear <b>12</b> will pivot to the next tooth for every rotation of the worm <b>51</b>. As results, The video camera mount assembly <b>14</b> pivots referencing to the pivot shaft <b>11</b> whenever the motor <b>61</b> rotates. In practice worm gear system provides two advantages to the invention. Firstly, it prevents gear slippage and in turn the electronic system does not have to provide motor holding current to keep the video camera mount subassembly <b>14</b> to lock in the prefer tilted angular position. This is a unique power saving feature of this invention. Secondly, it provides a very high gear ratio such that a very low output torque motor <b>61</b> will be able to tilt the camera mount assembly <b>14</b>.

[0077] The left edge <b>124</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b> will touch and activate the clockwise limit switch <b>99</b> as the motor <b>61</b> keeps driving the worm gear <b>12</b> in pivoting in the clockwise movement direction. The clockwise limit switch <b>99</b>, which is connected to PCBA <b>30</b>, will send an electrical signal to the PCBA <b>30</b>. The PCBA <b>30</b> is preprogrammed to stop the motor <b>61</b> to keep rotating any further in the clockwise direction.

[0078] The right edge <b>125</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b> will touch and activate the counterclockwise limit switch <b>100</b> as the motor <b>61</b> keeps driving the worm gear <b>12</b> in pivoting in the counterclockwise movement direction. The counterclockwise limit switch <b>100</b>, which is connected to PCBA <b>30</b>, will send an electrical signal to the PCBA <b>30</b>. The PCBA <b>30</b> is preprogrammed to stop the motor <b>61</b> to keep rotating any further in the counterclockwise direction. The amount of allowable tilt angle of the video camera mounting subassembly <b>14</b> is defined as the angle of rotation between the activation of the clockwise limit switch <b>99</b> by the left edge <b>124</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b> and the activation of the counter clockwise limit switch <b>100</b> by the right edge <b>124</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b>. A 70-degree allowable tilt angle is shown in FIG. 11. As switch <b>89</b> of the handheld device controller <b>3</b> receives a signal from the operator, the handheld device controller <b>3</b> will emit the wireless signal <b>98</b>. The main PCBA <b>30</b> of the main system <b>2</b> will detect the signal <b>98</b> and provide an electrical function to the motor <b>61</b>.

[0079] As a result, the video camera mounting subassembly <b>14</b> will tilt accordingly.

[0080]FIG. 12 is the bottom plan view of the stator base <b>8</b>. At least one threaded mounting hole <b>104</b> is provide for the user to have a choice to mount the main system <b>2</b> to a non-horizontal surface or mount it firmly down to any surface. As shown in the figure, 6 mounting holes <b>104</b> are provided.

[0081] One ¼-20 UNC internal threaded hole <b>105</b> is provided for generic tripod mounting.

[0082] One guide hole <b>106</b> for generic tripod mounting orientation is provided.

[0083]FIG. 13 is the right plan view of the video camera rain shield subassembly <b>5</b> assembled to the worm gear <b>12</b>. The frame <b>109</b> of the video camera rain shield subassembly <b>5</b> is mounted to the worm gear <b>12</b> by at least one fastener <b>110</b> into the mounting hole <b>27</b>. The fastener <b>110</b> can be screw or other mounting mechanisms, which can facilitate the assembly.

[0084] The rain protector <b>107</b> is mounted to the frame by at least one fastener <b>108</b> into the mounting hole <b>126</b> (shown in FIG. 14) of the frame. The fastener <b>108</b> can be screw or other mounting mechanisms, which can facilitate the assembly.

[0085] The rain protector <b>107</b> is made of transparent material like polycarbonate, acrylic or glass.

[0086]FIG. 14 is the cross section taken along line <b>6</b>-<b>6</b> of FIG. 13. This illustrates the mating relationship between the frame <b>109</b> and the worm gear <b>12</b>. The material protrusions <b>115</b> of the frame <b>109</b> wrap around the corners <b>116</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b>. The contact surface <b>114</b> of the frame <b>109</b> is against the worm gear <b>12</b>. The assembly operation starts with placing the frame <b>109</b> over the top of the worm gear <b>12</b> and let the worm gear <b>12</b> to insert into the frame <b>109</b> where the material protrusions <b>115</b> act as the guide rail for worm gear <b>12</b>. The second shoulder <b>88</b> of the worm gear <b>12</b> is the reference limit stop for the insertion process of the worm gear <b>12</b> into the frame <b>109</b>. At least one fastener <b>110</b> is used to assemble the frame <b>109</b> the mounting hole <b>27</b>.

[0087] The support flat <b>127</b> acts as the vertical registration surface for locating the elevation of the rain protector <b>107</b> referencing to the worm gear <b>12</b>. In assembly, the rain protector <b>107</b> is placed onto the frame and rest on the support flat <b>127</b>. At least two support flats <b>127</b> of the frame <b>109</b> is provided to support the rain protector <b>107</b> during assembly.

[0088] At least two mounting holes <b>126</b> are provided for assembling the rain protector <b>107</b> to the frame <b>109</b> by fastener <b>108</b>. These mounting holes <b>126</b> act as the horizontal registration of the rain protector <b>107</b> referencing to the worm gear <b>12</b>. Four support flats with four mounting holes <b>127</b> are shown in FIG. 14. This design provides an easy operation for mounting and dismounting the video camera rain shield subassembly <b>5</b> to the main system <b>2</b>.

[0089] It will be appreciated that the sizes and shapes and dispositions of various main system, rain jacket, video camera rain shield and handheld device controller can be varied, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Similarly, the size and location of mounting holes, housing, material protrusions and the like may be varied. While the sealing of the chamber spaces has been described with respect to use of gaskets or seal, other sealing mechanisms may instead (or in addition) be used. While the remote control portable video camera mounting device has been described with respect to application with handheld video cameras with capability of the LCD screen facing the same direction as the video camera focusing direction, the described system may be applied to other video cameras, including without limitation to supply mounting for digital cameras and cameras.

[0090] Modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the subject and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.