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Publication Number
US-12262110-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided is a camera head having a capacitive sensing unit disposed along the outer surface of the camera head. The capacitive sensing unit includes a plurality of capacitive sensors. The camera head includes an electronic controller operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors to control a camera control function and determine a medical procedure and/or the identity of the user.
Core Innovation
A camera head is communicatively coupled to a camera control unit configured to process data from the camera head to generate an image. The camera head includes a first capacitive sensing unit disposed along at least one surface of the camera head to detect a grip, and an electronic controller processes the grip to determine a profile of the grip.
A memory storage unit stores a plurality of grip profiles, where each grip profile is associated with a predetermined configuration of one or more camera control functions. The electronic controller processes the profile of the grip to adjust the camera head to the predetermined configuration for operating the camera control functions associated with the detected profile.
The system relates grip processing to user-specific camera control configurations, including determining handedness and/or identifying a user from capacitive sensor actuation. The grip-derived configuration is used to drive camera control functions such as zoom, focus, orientation, image brightness, and illumination intensity, and to enter a standby mode when no grip is detected.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover grip-detected camera head control using capacitive sensing with stored grip profiles that map to predetermined camera control configurations, and a camera-head input arrangement that includes a second capacitive sensing unit bound by the first capacitive sensing unit. Across the independent claims, the inventive features center on capacitive grip sensing, grip-profile processing and storage, and mapping to predetermined camera control functions via a camera controller, plus a capacitive-input control structure bound to the first sensing unit.
Capacitive grip detection and grip-profile determination
A camera head with a first capacitive sensing unit disposed along at least one surface of the camera head to detect a grip, and an electronic controller coupled to the first capacitive sensing unit and operable to process the grip to determine a profile of the grip.
Storing grip profiles mapped to predetermined camera-control configurations
A memory storage unit configured to store a plurality of grip profiles, each grip profile associated with a predetermined configuration of one or more camera control functions.
Adjusting camera control functions based on the detected grip profile
The electronic controller processes the profile of the grip to adjust the camera head to the predetermined configuration for operating the one or more camera control functions associated with the detected profile.
Input for selecting and controlling camera control functions includes a bounded second capacitive sensing unit
A camera head comprising an input disposed on the camera head configured to select and control one or more camera control functions, wherein the input includes a second capacitive sensing unit having a plurality of second capacitive sensors, the second capacitive sensing unit bound by the first capacitive sensing unit.
Together, the independent claims define a camera head that detects a grip via a first capacitive sensing unit, processes the grip to determine a grip profile, stores multiple grip profiles each mapped to predetermined camera control configurations, and adjusts the camera head to the configuration associated with the detected profile. A separate independent claim further specifies a camera-head input that includes a second capacitive sensing unit with multiple sensors bound by the first capacitive sensing unit to select and control camera control functions.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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