Sony Ericsson UNDERWATER IMAGE CAPTURE patent

Abstract
A housing may include a first portion that includes a window configured to allow a lens to capture images viewed through the window, and a first mating surface. The housing may include a second portion that includes a second mating surface adapted to mate with the first mating surface to form a watertight seal, at least one button to provide a signal to a terminal supported in the second portion, and a receiving surface on an inner surface of the second portion adapted to receive an insert, where the insert is adapted to be removeably coupled to the receiving surface on a first side and to receive the terminal via a second side.


Description
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002]Implementations described herein relate generally to cameras, and more particularly to performing operations using cameras.

[0003]2. Description of Related Art

[0004]Devices, such as mobile communication devices, may perform functions other than communication functions to make these devices more useful to consumers. For example, mobile communication devices may be configured to store and play music and/or video files and/or to record still images or video.

[0005]A consumer may find mobile communication devices with image capturing capabilities to be very useful as the consumer does not have to carry a separate camera to record images. Users may find that they take pictures with their mobile communications devices at a number of locations and in a number of different environments due to the portability of the mobile communications devices.

[0006]While camera equipped mobile communication devices may be satisfactory for taking pictures in some environments, they may not be able to take pictures in all of the environments that the user may desire. For example, camera equipped mobile communication devices may not be sealed with respect to moisture. Therefore, the user may not be able to take pictures in wet conditions. As a result, camera equipped mobile communication devices may not meet all of a user's photographic needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007]According to one aspect, a housing is provided. The housing may comprise a first portion, comprising a window configured to allow a lens to capture images viewed through the window, and a first mating surface. The housing may comprise a second portion, comprising a second mating surface adapted to mate with the first mating surface to form a watertight seal, at least one button to provide a signal to a terminal supported in the second portion, and a receiving surface on an inner surface of the second portion adapted to receive an insert, where the insert is adapted to be removeably coupled to the receiving surface on a first side and to receive the terminal via a second side.

[0008]Additionally, the second portion comprises an image window to provide image information related to a user when the user faces an outer surface of the second portion.

[0009]Additionally, the signal is produced in response to a user action.

[0010]Additionally, the first portion and the second portion are used with the terminal to take a picture underwater when the first portion and the second portion are mated together.

[0011]Additionally, the housing may further comprise a cable to connect the at least one button to the terminal, where the cable is adapted to carry the signal.

[0012]Additionally, the housing may further comprise a latch to maintain the first portion and the second portion in a mated relationship.

[0013]Additionally, the at least one button comprises a first button configured to turn on a camera included in the terminal and a second button configured to take a picture using the camera.

[0014]Additionally, the watertight housing is adapted to accept any of a plurality of inserts, where the plurality of inserts are adapted to receive a plurality of terminals having different sizes or shapes associated therewith.

[0015]In accordance with still another aspect, an insert is provided. The insert may comprise an upper surface adapted to receive a terminal, a supporting member adapted to maintain the terminal in a determined relationship with respect to the upper surface; and a lower surface adapted to releasably couple with an inner surface of a watertight housing, where the watertight housing is adapted to allow the terminal to take a picture while the watertight housing is submerged.

[0016]Additionally, the upper and lower surface form a receiving volume having a length varying from approximately 8 centimeters (cm) to 18 cm and a width varying from approximately 4 cm to 10 cm.

[0017]In accordance with yet another aspect, a housing is provided. The housing may comprise a window to allow subject information to reach a lens of a terminal supported in the housing, an insert supported via an inner surface of the housing, where the insert is adapted to receive the terminal and to maintain the terminal in a determined position with respect to the window, at least one input device located on an outer surface of the housing, a cable releasably coupled to the at least one input device via a first end and to the terminal via a second end, where the cable is adapted to pass a signal from the at least one input device to the terminal when the at least one input device is activated.

[0018]Additionally, the insert is adapted to be releasably supported via the inner surface of the housing.

[0019]Additionally, the cable is one of a plurality of cables that are adapted to connect the at least one input device to a plurality of different terminals.

[0020]Additionally, the inner surface of the housing is further configured to support a plurality of inserts associated with a plurality of different terminals.

[0021]Additionally, the cable or the at least one input device allow the terminal to be remotely controlled.

[0022]In accordance with still another aspect, a method is provided. The method may include receiving an insert adapted to support a terminal in a determined relationship with respect to an inner surface of an underwater housing, receiving the terminal via the insert and receiving a user input via a button while the underwater housing is substantially submerged. The method may comprise sending a signal related to the user input to the terminal via a cable, where the signal causes the terminal to capture an image via a lens proximate to a window in the underwater housing; and providing a representation of the captured image to the user through the underwater housing.

[0023]Additionally, the method may further comprise storing the captured image in a memory in response to a second user input received via a second button.

[0024]Additionally, the method may further comprise determining if water is present inside the underwater housing.

[0025]In accordance with yet another aspect, a device is provided. The device may comprise an enclosure configured to receive a mobile terminal, the enclosure forming a watertight seal; and at least one input device located on an outer surface of the enclosure, the at least one input device being configured to transmit electrical signals to a camera function of the mobile terminal when activated by a user.

[0026]Additionally, the device may further comprise an insert adapted to receive the mobile terminal, where the insert maintains the terminal in a determined relationship with respect to a window of the enclosure.