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Title:
SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR A HIGHLY INTEGRATED TELEPROMPTER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/155207
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A teleprompter for use with a camera for capturing an image of a subject. The teleprompter including a housing, a reflective surface, a first display and a second display. The reflective surface is mountable in front of the lens of the camera. The camera lens being able to capture the image of the subject beyond/through the reflective surface. A first display is enclosed in the housing and capable of directing an image. A second display is pivotably secured to the housing and capable of directing an image. One of either the first display or the second display directing an image toward the reflective surface such that the image is reflected by the reflective surface along the axis of the lens. The other of either the first display or the second display pivotably attached to the housing and capable of being pivoted between being nested against the housing and a position wherein the image is directed toward the subject of the camera.

Inventors:
BUSH RICHARD (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/US2013/036012
Publication Date:
October 17, 2013
Filing Date:
April 10, 2013
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
BDL AUTOSCRIPT INC (US)
International Classes:
G03B31/00; H04N5/222
Foreign References:
US20090256970A12009-10-15
JP2011172083A2011-09-01
US20100293465A12010-11-18
US20110298935A12011-12-08
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ZINGERMAN, Scott, R. (Snider Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens P.C,321 South Boston, Suite 80, Tulsa OK, US)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A teleprompter for use with a camera for capturing an image of a subject and the camera including a camera lens having an axis, said teleprompter comprising: a housing;

a reflective surface mountable in front of the camera lens such that the camera captures an image through said reflective surface;

a first display enclosed in said housing capable of directing an image toward said reflective surface such that the image directed from said first display is reflected from the reflective surface along the axis of the lens; a second display capable of directing an image pivotally attached to said

housing such that in a first position said second display may be pivoted so as to be nested against said housing and in a second position said second display may be pivoted to direct said image toward the subject of the camera.

2. A teleprompter for use with a camera for capturing an image of a subject and the camera including a camera lens having an axis and a reflective surface mounted in front of the camera lens such that the camera is capable of capturing the image through the reflective surface, said teleprompter comprising:

a housing;

a first display enclosed in said housing capable of directing an image toward said reflective surface such that the image directed from said first display is reflected from the reflective surface;

a second display attached to said housing capable of directing an image. 3. The teleprompter of claim 2 wherein said image from said second display is directed toward the subject of the camera.

4. The teleprompter of claim 3 wherein said second display is pivotably attached to said housing.

5. The teleprompter of claim 4 wherein said second display is pivotable between at least a first position nested against said housing and at least a second position to direct said image toward the subject of the camera.

6. A teleprompter for use with a camera for capturing an image of a subject and the camera including a camera lens, said teleprompter comprising:

a housing;

a reflective surface mountable in front of the camera lens;

a first display and a second display;

one of said first display or said second display being supported in said housing; the other of said first display or said second display being pivotably attached to said housing.

7. The teleprompter of claim 6 wherein one of said first display or said second display being capable of directing an image toward said reflective surface such that the image is reflected by said reflective surface.

8. The teleprompter of claim 7 wherein the image is reflected by said reflective surface toward the subject.

9. The teleprompter of claim 7 wherein the image is reflected along the axis of the lens.

10. The teleprompter of claim 9 wherein the image is reflected toward the subject.

1 1. The teleprompter of claim 7 wherein the other of either said first display or said second display being pivotable with respect to said housing between at least a first position nested against said housing.

12. The teleprompter of claim 11 wherein the other of either said first display or said second display is pivotable to at least a second position wherein said image is directed toward the subject.

13. A method of using a camera for capturing an image of a subject with a camera lens having an axis, said method comprising: mounting a reflective surface in front of the camera lens such that the camera is capable of capturing the image through the reflective surface;

enclosing a first display in a housing and positioning said housing such that an image directed from said first display is reflected from said reflective surface;

pivotably securing a second display to said housing such that said second

display is pivotable between at least a first position nested against said housing and at least a second position wherein an image from said second display is directed toward the subject of the camera.

Description:
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A HIGHLY INTEGRATED TELEPROMPTER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/622,407 filed April 10, 2012, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for displaying information on a video monitor. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a teleprompter which provides a first display on-axis with the camera lens and a second display off the axis of the camera lens but still highly visible to a subject of the camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Teleprompters are well known in the art. Generally speaking teleprompters attach to a camera and provide a display on-axis with the camera lens. Such devices are used to provide on-air talent with scrolling text, or a script, so that the talent can read the text while looking into the camera lens. In a typical studio environment a camera is likely mounted to a pedestal-style camera support with a robotic pan/tilt head. The prompter is typically mounted so that the prompter moves with the camera to remain in front of the camera lens. Additionally a second monitor, sometimes referred to as an "on-air monitor," may be provided, typically below the prompter, to provide additional information to the talent. The second monitor may provide an indication of the image produced by the camera, the video actually being broadcast, notes from a producer, or any other video information which may be helpful to the talent.

The cost of a pedestal and robotic control head are directly affected by the amount of weight a user expects to be supported. This would include the weight of the camera, prompter, any camera accessories, and the cabling for: powering the camera, prompter, and accessories; delivering video information from the camera; receiving video for the prompter; and control signals for the robotic systems.

Thus factors considered by a consumer of teleprompter include: the weight of the prompter system; the size of the prompter system; power consumption of the prompter; and the complexity of integrating the prompter with other production equipment.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a prompter system that is lighter weight than prior art prompter systems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a prompter system which is more compact than prior art systems without sacrificing viewing area of either the prompter or the on-air monitor.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a prompter system which consumes less power than prior art systems of comparable feature sets.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a prompter system which integrates into a production studio with less complexity than prior art systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a highly integrated prompter system to reduce the weight, size, power consumption, and complexity as compared to prior art systems. In a preferred embodiment the inventive teleprompter includes: a housing; a reflective surface mountable in front of a camera lens such that the lens views an image beyond the reflective surface; a first display enclosed in the housing and directed toward the reflective surface such that the image on display is reflected from the reflective surface along the axis of the lens; a second monitor pivotally attached to the housing such that in a first position the monitor may be nested against the housing and in a second position the monitor may be aimed toward the subject of the camera. As would be apparent to one of skill in the art, the axis of the lens is the imaginary line that defines the center of the field of view of the lens.

In an alternate embodiment, the first display may be pivotably attached to the housing and the second display supported from and/or enclosed in the housing. In this embodiment the first display would be pivotable between at least a first position where it is nested against the housing and at least a second position where it is capable of directing an image toward the reflective surface such that the image on display is reflected from the reflective surface. This second position will most commonly be along the axis of the camera lens and toward the subject of the camera. The second display would most commonly be positioned so that an image displayed/projected by the second monitor/display is visible to the subject of the camera. In another preferred embodiment the inventive prompter further includes circuitry to drive both monitors. By eliminating circuitry which would be duplicated with separate monitors, the weight, size, power consumption, and complexity of the prompter system may be further improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the inventive highly integrated prompter system in its general environment.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view the inventive prompter in a closed configuration.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view from the back of the inventive prompter showing the prompter in a partially opened configuration.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view, generally from the front, of the inventive prompter in an opened configuration.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view, generally from the back, of the inventive prompter in the opened configuration.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view, generally from the right side, of the inventive prompter in the opened configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several view, the inventive teleprompter system 100 is shown in its general environment in FIG. 1. In a typical installation, prompter 100 is mounted to, or proximate to, a camera 102, which is in turn mounted to a pan/tilt head 104, which is further mounted to a support 106, in this case a pedestal-style support. In ever-increasing numbers, pan/tilt units and pedestals are robotic in nature, reducing the need for cameramen. However, where such units are manual, or even just capable of manual operation, camera 102 is typically equipped with a viewfinder or monitor 108.

Preferably the inventive prompter 100 comprises: a hood 1 10; a reflective surface 1 12 housed in hood 110; a housing 1 14; a display 116 housed in housing 1 14 and directed toward the reflective surface 112 such that images produced by display 1 16 are visible directly in front of the lens of camera 102; and an on-air monitor 1 18 attached to housing 114 such that display 1 18 is directly viewable in front of camera 102. Thus, a subject in front of the camera can see the information presented on display 1 16, preferably text, while looking directly into the camera 102. Mounting hardware 150 secures prompter 100 to the camera such that the displays 1 16 and 1 18 provide images in a convenient method.

In a multi-camera environment, prompter 100 may further include a display 120 which shows a camera number to aid the subject of production staff. In addition, display 120 may be capable of selectively changing color, or selective display so that the active camera can be clearly indicated to the talent and production staff. In one preferred embodiment, prompter 100 further includes an indicator 122 capable of selective illumination, which can also be used to indicate when a particular camera is active.

Turning to FIG. 2, the inventive teleprompter 100 includes a closed position wherein on-air display 118 can be folded underneath housing 1 14. The closed position allows prompter 100 to take on a very compact profile for shipping, storage, handling, and the like. In addition, prompter 100 can be used in the closed position, with images displayed on display 1 18. In one preferred embodiment, prompter 100 includes a switch (not shown), or other sensing means, to indicate the prompter is in the closed position so that display 1 18 can be powered-off to reduce the electrical power required to operate the system. Prompter 100 also further comprises switches 124 which may be used to select options, configure prompter 100, select input sources, etc., as well as power-on indicator 130 to indicate prompter 100 is operational. It should be noted that display 1 18 could also be directed at a lower reflective surface from the closed position if so desired. It should also be understood that in an alternate embodiment the on-air display could be fixed in the housing and the prompter display pivotable with respect to the housing. With reference to FIGS. 3 & 4, on-air monitor 1 18 can be folded downward towards the open position when a forward-facing on-air monitor is desired. Hinges 126 and 128 facilitate folding of display 118 between the open position and the closed position. As best seen in FIG. 3, prompter 100 also includes BNC-style connectors 132 for receiving video signals and a 15 -pin D-sub connector 134 likewise for receiving video signals. It should be noted that other types of video inputs or outputs may also be provided such as, by way of example and not limitation, DVI connectors, HDMI connectors, RCA connectors, 1/8" phone jacks, and the like. Prompter 100 may be powered from an AC source through IEC connector 136 or from a DC power source via XLR connector 138.

FIGS. 5 and 6 provide views from the back of prompter 100 in the open configuration. As can be seen, preferably on-air display 118 comprises an LCD monitor which, by its very nature, is very thin, thus allowing prompter 100 to take on a compact form when in the closed position. In one preferred embodiment, hinges 126 and 128, may be of a type that slightly lowers display 1 18 as it is unfolded so that when in the fully open position, the top 140 of on-air display 118 lies immediately adjacent to, and flush with, the front 144 of housing 114.

Preferably, housing 114 encloses circuitry associated with providing power to both displays 1 16 and 1 18 as well as circuitry for displaying images on each monitor. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, some circuitry which would be duplicates if displays 116 and 1 18 were housed separately can be eliminated. Further only a single mount 150 (FIG. 1) is required to secure the entire system to the camera while a second mounting system is required if displays 1 16 and 1 18 were housed separately. Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments in relation to the drawings attached thereto, various changes and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, many variations are possible which remain within the concept and scope of the invention. Such variations would become clear to one of ordinary skill in the art after inspection of the specification and the drawings.

* * * *

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.