HANDHELD DEVICE STEADYING METHOD, APPARATUS AND KIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of handheld devices. More particularly, this invention relates to steadying of a handheld device. Description of the Prior Art

It is known to provide handheld devices, such as, for example, digital cameras, video recorders, mobile camera phones and mobile video phones, which it is desirable to steady in use so as to combat camera jitter and provide better image capture quality or for some other reason. Whilst conventional cameras typically have a view finder which is held to the users eye in order to frame an image to be captured, more recent handheld devices of the above form tend to have a preview screen upon which the framed image can be viewed and which must be held some distance from the user's eye in order to be viewed. Whilst this approach has many advantages, it suffers from the disadvantage that the handheld device is no longer steadied against the user's face/check when an image is being framed with this providing a stable point of contact for the handheld device. Instead, the handheld device is held some distance from the users face and lacks the steadying point of contact previously provided by the face/cheek of the user. The increased difficulty in holding such handheld device is steady (still) reduces the quality images which can be captured.

It is known to provide tripods, monopods and electronic mechanisms to reduce camera jitter as well as simply steadying a camera on or against a solid object. It is also known to use a strap which passes under a user's foot and attaches to the tripod mount to provide steadying. This is called a Strap Pod and is sold by Kirk Photo (see http:/www.kirkphoto.com/accessories.html as accessible at the priority date).

It is also known to provide a camera strap which attaches at one end to a tripod mounting point and at another end to carry a strap mount (see http://www.electricedge.com/gordy s straps/store/neck-vert/index.html as accessible at the priority date of the application).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a method of steadying: a handheld device having an external viewing screen, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a loop formed of a strap attached to said handheld device such that at least one side of said loop passes behind a user's neck; and pushing said handheld device substantially in a direction a user is facing so as to maintain tension in said strap thereby steadying said handheld device.

" The invention recognises that a point of contact for a ^" handheld device can be provided by a strap attached to that device and looped around the neck of a user. The strap can then be tensioned by urging the handheld device away from the users face with hand pressure such that the user's hands and the user's neck (linked via the strap) provide multiple stable points of contact for the handheld device increasing the steadiness for which it may be held. The strap may be looped around the neck and shoulder to be conveniently carried at the user's side and then drawn up to the steadying position in front of the user's face.

A particular way of urging the handheld device away from the users head is using the user's hands against the surface of the handheld device facing toward the user's head. Hands (e.g. the portion of the palm adjacent the thumb) are strong and stable and can be arranged to pass around the strap (and/or device) in a convenient manner.

Whilst the technique described above can be used with a variety of handheld devices (not necessarily limited to image capture devices), it is particularly of use when the handheld device is a camera (capturing either or both of still images and movies).

The technique has particular utility when the camera has a screen displaying preview images with this screen being disposed at a viewing distance from and facing the user's head whilst being steadied.

Cameras typically provide a tripod attachment point of a standard form, i.e. a threaded VA inch x 20 socket. This tripod attachment point provides a sturdy fixing to which the strap of the present technique can be attached, the other end of the strap can be attached to a carry strap attachment point of the camera. In some embodiments the strap can be attached to the tripod attachment point with a fitting or in a manner that permits the strap to freely rotate around a longitudinal axis of a threaded screw attached to the tripod mounting point. Existing cameras typically provide a carry strap attachment point and a tripod attachment point yielding two relatively sturdy fixings to which the strap may be attached and which can support the stresses

imposed by placing the strap under tension when employing the present techniques. It is also possible for both ends of the strap to be fixed to the same point. Some cameras provide two carry strap attachment points and these could also be used.

It will be appreciated that the force with which the handheld device is urged away from the users head can vary. This force is typically such that it maintains a tension of between 15 and 35 Newtons in the strap. Such a force can be comfortably supported by a user's head/neck and generated by a user's arm whilst also providing a good degree of steadying to the handheld device. A particular tension is substantially 25 Newtons.

Whilst it will be appreciated that the attachment points of the strap to the handheld device could be coincident, the stability provided by the use of the strap under tension described above is enhanced when the attachment points are spaced apart.

Whilst the strap can attach directly to the handheld device, in some embodiments it is more convenient to use an adapter such that the handheld device is attached to the adapter and the adapter is attached to the strap.

Such adapters can be conveniently shaped to provide other uses in addition to the attachment of the strap, i.e. the adapter can be shaped to enable the handheld device to be stood upon the adapter and/or the adapter can be shaped to provide a protective cover at least partially enclosing the handheld device.

The resilient extension of the strap can vary, some embodiments provide an extension of between 0.2m and 0.4m when the tension of the strap is between 15 Newtons and 35 Newtons. It is possible that 15 Newtons of tension could produce a 0.4m extension or 35 Newtons of tension produce a 0.2m extension. In particular embodiments a tension of substantially 25 Newtons produces an extension of substantially 0.3m.

Viewed from another aspect the present invention provides apparatus for steadying a camera, said apparatus comprising: a strap; and one or more fasteners adapted to attach ends of said strap to said camera; wherein said strap is resiliently extendable to extend by between 0.2m and 0.4m when a tension of between 15 Newtons and 35 Newtons is applied to said strap.

The apparatus for steadying a camera in accordance with the above recognises that the degree of elastic resilient extension provided by the strap is important to the effective use of the strap in steadying. This provides a controllable way in which the tension in the strap can be controlled to reach a certain level as well as providing the cushioning described above.

In order to accommodate different user's requirements in terms of arm length and visual requirements constraining the distance at which the camera can be viewed by the user, some embodiments provide that the strap has an adjustable length.

The strap may provide this resilient extension property by extending along its entire length, or at least the majority thereof, but in some embodiments it may be preferred to provide the strap in a form having at least one resiliently extending portion and at least one substantially non-extending portion.

The extending portions can be arranged towards one or both ends of the strap such that expansion or contraction of these extending portions is unlikely to cause inconvenience to the user, e.g. trapping of a user's hair during contraction of the extending portions.

As an alternative, at least one of the resiliently extending portions can comprise a retracting cassette. Such cassettes, similar in concept to an automotive seatbelt, can be used to provide a uniform tension in the strap when the handheld device is in use and the strap is being employed to steady the handheld device. The retracting cassettes could also be provided as part of the handheld device itself.

The fasteners which attach the ends of the strap to the camera can take a wide variety of different forms. A preferred feature of these fasteners is that they have a swivelling degree of freedom with an axis rotation along the length of the strap thereby assisting in removing twists within the strap which could otherwise disturb the use of the strap in steadying the handheld device.

Whilst the straps may be directly fixed to the camera, some embodiments use an adapter which is fixable to the tripod mounting of the camera with the strap then being fixed to the adapter so as to be attached to the camera via the adapter. The tripod mounting screw

itself can also be given a low profile to enable the camera to be more readily stood on its base despite the presence of the screw.

The screw may also replicate the tripod mounting such that a monopod or other support can be used in combination with the strap.

In such embodiments the adapter can be shaped to provide other functions such as enabling the camera to be stood upon the adapter and/or providing a protective cover at least partially enclosing the camera.

Whilst it would be appreciated that the camera could be a still image camera or a moving image camera, the invention is well suited to systems in which the camera is smaller and less easy to hold still when spaced away from the user's face.

The presence of the steadying strap may be automatically detected by the camera and used to control combined use with other mechanical or electronic anti-jitter mechanism to increase their effectiveness.

Viewed from a further aspect the present invention provides a camera steadying kit comprising a strap and instructions describing the technique described above. The strap can have one of the forms described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION QF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates the use of a strap for steadying a camera;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a strap for use in the technique of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an adapter for fixing to a tripod mount of a camera and providing attachment for a strap to be used in steadying a camera; and

Figure 5 illustrates an adapter for attaching to one end of a strap for use in steadying a camera with that adapter also partially enclosing the camera;

Figure 6 illustrates a second example embodiment of a strap for use in the technique of Figure 1; and

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate example embodiments of an attachment between a strap and a tripod mount.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a user 2 employing a technique for steadying a camera 4 (i.e. a handheld device) whilst taking a still image with that camera 4. The camera could also be a moving, image camera. Alternative handheld devices could be used in place of the camera 4, such as a mobile phone, a video phone, etc. The camera 4 has a preview screen 6 which faces toward the user 2 and with which the user 2 frames the image to be captured. The camera 4 is held away from the face of the user 2 in order that the preview screen 6 can be properly viewed.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a strap 8 is provided which forms a loop with a first end of the strap being attached via a tripod mount 10 to the camera 4. A second end of the strap 8 is detached to a carry strap mount 12 of the camera 4. The strap 8 is provided with adjustment buckles 14 to enable the length of the strap 8 to be adjusted so as to provide a comfortable spacing between the preview screen 6 and the user 2 when it is desired to frame the image and with the strap 8 held under tension. Other mounting points of the strap are also possible, e.g. at the same point or using two carry strap mounts.

In order to steady the camera 4, the user loops the strap 8 behind their neck and then uses their arms to push (urge) the camera 4 away from their face so as to hold the strap 8 under tension. The user can use the portion of their palm adjacent the thumb (not illustrated) placed behind the camera 4 to push the camera 4 away from the user's face. The hands can be placed in this way on either side of the camera 4 providing two points of contact from the camera 4. The strap 8 effectively provides a third point of contact, i.e. to the neck of the user 2, thereby giving increased stability to the camera 4. As shown, if the tension in the strap 8 is T Newtons, then the camera must be urged with the force of T Newtons away from the user's

face in order to maintain this tension within the strap 8. This tension is in some embodiments between 15 Newtons and 35 Newtons and particularly substantially 25 Newtons. This results in a resilient extension of between 0.2m and 0.4m and particularly substantially 0.3m.

Figure 2 illustrates one example of the strap 8 in more detail. As will be seen the strap 8 includes an adapter 16 for- fixing to the tripod mount 10 of the camera 4 with a threaded screw. Tripod mounts have a standard threaded socket (1/4 inch x 20) into which a threaded screw can be fixed having passed through the hole 18 in the adapter 16. The screw may also replicate the threaded socket to provide for use of a monopod etc in combination. A swivel 20 links the adapter 16 to the body of the strap 8. The body of the strap 8 comprises two elastic portions 22 disposed near the ends of the strap 8 with a larger non-elastic portion 24 forming the bulk central portion of the strap 8. The elastic portions 22 can be formed of known elastic materials. The non elastic portion 24 can be formed of known materials. The buckles 14 provide adjustability to the length of the strap 8 in order that it can be used to hold the camera at a comfortable viewing distance from the user 2.

The other end of the strap 8 illustrated in Figure 2 includes a further swivel 20 and a thin loop of cord 26 which can be fixed to a carry strap mount 12 on the camera 4. The carry strap mount 12 and the tripod mount 10 on the camera 4 are relatively sturdy and so allow a secure fixing of the strap 8 thereto such that a sufficient tension can be maintained in the strap 8 when using the strap 8 to steady the camera 4. The swivels 20 allow twists within the strap 8 to be readily removed.

In order to provide comfortable use and a good degree of steadying it has been found appropriate to use a tension of between 15 and 35 Newtons in the strap when employing the technique illustrated in Figure 1. The elastic portions 22 of the strap illustrated in Figure 2 provide a degree of cushioning against small movements in the users head or hands as well as providing a controllable way of generating appropriate tension. They may be formed so as to resiliency extend to provide a extension of the strap of between 0.2m and 0.4m.

Figure 3 illustrates a further example embodiment. In this example embodiment the strap 8 attaches via an adapter 28 to the tripod mount 10 of the camera 4. Both ends of the strap 8 are attached to the adapter 28. A hole 30 through the adapter 28 allows a threaded screw to be inserted therethrough and fix the adapter 28 to the tripod mount 10. The adapter

28 is formed with legs 32 which extend therefrom and enable the camera 4 to be stood on the adapter 28 in a stable fashion without the threaded screw 34 which is being used to attach to the tripod mount 10 rendering the camera unstable. Figure 4 shows an alternative view of the adapter 28.

- Figure 5 illustrates a- further example embodiment. -In this embodiment, the strap 8 connects via swivels 20 to the tripod mount 10 and the camera strap mount 12 of a camera 4. The fixing to the tripod mount 10 takes place via an adapter 36 which both provides the fixing to the tripod mount 10 and also forms an at least partially enclosing protective cover for the camera 4. The protective cover can be unfolded from the camera 4 to enable the camera 4 to be used providing it is made, at least partially, of suitably resiliently material such that it can deform about point 38 to rest clear of the imaging lens of the camera 4.

Figure 6 illustrates a further example embodiment of a strap 8 that can be used in accordance with the present techniques. The strap 8 in this case has a form similar to that described in relation to Figure 2 except that the buckles 14 are no longer present and the elastic portions 22 have been replaced with retracting cassettes 40. These retracting cassettes hold a coil of the material forming the strap 8 and release this material against a biasing force, which can be generated in a number of ways, such as a suitable spring within the retracting cassettes 40. The retracting cassettes 40 can also provide a locking function in a similar way to an automotive seat belt where this locks against further extension when a rapid extension is attempted. This form of action provides a ready way of adjusting the length of the strap 8 to suit the viewing distance needed by the user 2. The retracting cassettes 40 behaving in this way could be used in combination with some resilient elastic material within the strap 8 providing the resilient extendibility to the strap 8 once the retracting cassettes 40 had locked in position. The retracting cassettes could also be formed integrally with or within the body of the camera.

Figure 7 illustrates a further embodiment of a strap 8 having a screw 41 which is formed to attach one end of the strap 8 to a tripod mount 10 of a camera 4 via a lanyard 43. The screw 41 has a 1/4 inch by 20 thread with a machined collar 42 and a flat head with driving slots. The screw has a thread portion of such a length so as to be not as deep as the tripod mount hole of a typical camera 4 thereby allowing the screw 41 to be fully tightened. In

this way, the collar 42 is held tight to the body of the camera with a small gap being maintained between the body of the camera 4 and the underside of the head of the screw.

Figure 8 illustrates a lanyard 43 from one end of a strap 8 and fitted with an eyelet or circlip 44 which has a diameter and thickness such that the eyelet or circlip is held under the head of the screw 41 when this is fully screwed in to the body of a camera 41 whilst being free to rotate about collar 42. In alternative embodiments, a sliding sleeve 45 can sits about lanyard 43 and slides toward the screw 41 to secure lanyard 43 to screw 41.

The forms of attachment to the tripod mount of a camera 4 allow the camera 4 to be supported at multiple angles/orientations when the camera strap 8 is not in use as a stabilization device but is hung about the users head or shoulder for carrying purposes.

The strap 8 can be provided in the form of a kit providing instructions, such as printed on the packaging or as a separate instruction leaflet, for performing the methods described above together with strap 8 itself having one of the above described forms.

The camera can be arranged to automatically detect the presence of the strap and automatically activate/deactivate/control other mechanical or electronic anti-jitter mechanisms to work in combination with the strap.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.