Quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder

Abstract

A quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder includes a substantially rigid frame having an upper surface and a lower surface. The frame is adapted for releaseable connection to a portable media encoder housing. A circuitry holder supports circuitry thereupon, the circuitry holder being affixed to the frame and having an upper portion extending above the upper surface of the frame and a lower portion extending below the lower surface of the frame. A substantially non-rigid cover is attached around the periphery of the frame and forms an enclosure for holding accessory devices mounted on the upper surface of the frame. A plurality of upper connectors operably interconnect via the circuitry to a plurality of lower connectors. The upper connectors are disposed on the upper portion of the circuitry holder and are operably accessible from within the enclosure. The lower connectors are disposed on the lower portion of the circuitry holder and are operably connectable to a video input port, audio input port, and digital output port on the portable media encoder housing when the portable media encoder housing is connected to the frame. Accessories mounted within the enclosure are operably connectable to the portable media encoder when the frame is connected to the encoder housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. VWSI-27,509) filed Mar. 28, 2006 entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA ENCODER.” This application also claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 764,140 filed Jan. 31, 2006 entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA ENCODER SYSTEM” and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 782,497 filed Mar. 15, 2006 entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA ENCODER SYSTEM #2.”TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to streaming audio / video media, and more particularly to portable devices for providing streaming media over the Internet or a private network. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] As the use of the Internet has become ubiquitous, more services are being offered online. This includes not only interactive services for which the Internet is widely known, such as email, online shopping, online banking, and customized i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder that allows for easy attachment and detachment of accessories. The mount includes a frame with upper and lower surfaces, and attachment structures for releably engaging the encoder. The frame has a mounting portion and a circuitry housing portion with upper and lower connectors. A cover is attached to the frame to form an enclosure. The lower connectors are positioned to connect with the video input, audio input, and digital output ports of the encoder. The accessories can be mounted on the frame and connected to the encoder through the upper connectors when the mount is engaged with the encoder. The technical effect of this invention is that it provides a convenient way to quickly change accessories on a portable media encoder.

Problems solved by technology

Streaming media delivery is both promising and problematic.

This can raise a variety of issues for providers as they attempt to deal with what is essentially replicating the broadcast event for every viewer.

In addition to current and ongoing programming, providers are faced with the problem of legacy programming that may prove valuable if it can be provided more or less on-demand when viewers so request.

The vast amount of programming currently available, as well as the large volume of non-digital legacy programming, can create problems associated with the scale or size of a given operation as well as with the technical difficulties involved in the delivery.

Permanently mounting and connecting the accessory devices necessary to provide such wireless or battery capabilities to a portable media encoder may result in increased weight and complexity that is not always required.

Images