Teleprompter system and related method

Abstract

To provide easily adjustable teleprompters to accommodate various camera types.SOLUTION: A teleprompter 100 comprises a housing 110 having a side wall 112 defining an external peripheral boundary of an open interior region 120. A back wall 114 of the housing comprises a removable back plate. When mated with the housing 110, the back plate in cooperation with the back wall 114 of the housing blocks light outside the housing from entering the open interior region 120 through a back face. A movable mount 150 coupled with the housing provides at least three degrees of freedom of camera movement relative to the housing, providing means to align a field-of-view of the camera to extend from an aperture of the back plate, through the open interior region of the housing and through the display to align with a user's gaze upon the teleprompter's display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application and the inventive subject matter disclosed herein (collectively referred to as the “disclosure”) generally relate to teleprompters as well as related systems and methods. Without being exclusive, more specifically, the disclosure relates to a teleprompter having convenient and easily adjustable features, for example, to accommodate various types of cameras. However, as one example, some disclosed teleprompters can accommodate a plurality of backplate configurations each suitable for physically coupling to a selected type of camera.

Background Art

[0002] Teleprompters are widely used, for example, in television production, video recording, live broadcasting, and live streaming, to display text cues to a presenter while allowing the presenter to maintain eye contact with the camera. The text is typically projected onto a major surface of a glass beam splitter positioned between the camera lens and the presenter. The presenter can view the reflection of the projected text, and the camera can receive external light through the major surface of the beam splitter. Thus, the camera can view the presenter from behind the beam splitter, and the presenter can view the text from in front of the beam splitter. However, existing teleprompter systems are limited in their adaptability to different types, sizes, orientations, and features of cameras.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Some of the teleprompters disclosed herein incorporate interchangeable adapters (e.g., backplates) to accommodate a very diverse range of camera types, sizes, orientations, and features. Further, some of the disclosed teleprompters incorporate adjustable camera mounts to make the disclosed teleprompters compatible with a variety of cameras having a wide range of focal lengths. As a result, the disclosed teleprompters can accommodate a wide range of field of view angles, providing users with a single teleprompter that offers various production options that were not previously available.

[0004] In some aspects, the concepts disclosed herein generally relate to teleprompters. Some of the disclosed concepts relate to systems, methods, and components that provide adaptability and adjustability to teleprompters. By way of example only, some of the disclosed teleprompters are compatible with a variety of different backplates, each of which can accommodate one or more camera configurations. Further, some of the disclosed teleprompters include adjustable camera mounts that provide up to four or more degrees of freedom of movement. For example, the disclosed camera mounts can provide up to three translational degrees of freedom and one or more rotational degrees of freedom. Such adjustability allows the disclosed teleprompters not only to accommodate cameras of different physical sizes and different focal lengths, but also to position each different camera lens that is in direct alignment with the presenter's line of sight while using the teleprompter, providing the presenter with a camera-eye-line match during use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect, the teleprompter includes a housing that defines an open interior region. The open interior region has a rear face and an opposite front face. The housing defines an outer boundary of the open interior region and has at least one sidewall that extends longitudinally from the front face to the rear face. The housing also has a rear wall that corresponds to the rear of the open interior region. The rear wall of the housing at least partially defines an opening and a peripheral contour interior to the opening. The rear wall of the housing is configured to be coupled to a removable backplate that defines an interface region. The interface region of the removable backplate has a peripheral contour exterior to the opening that is complementary to the peripheral contour interior to the opening defined by the rear wall of the housing. When the peripheral contour exterior of the interface region is coupled thereto, the removable backplate cooperates with the rear wall of the housing to block light external to the housing from entering the open interior region through the rear face. The removable backplate also defines an aperture.

[0006] The display is coupled to the housing that defines the outer boundary of the open interior region and extends across the front face of the open interior region. The monitor mount supports the monitor and is configured to orient the monitor laterally with respect to the display. The camera mount is movably coupled to the housing to permit at least one degree of freedom of movement of the camera mount with respect to the housing. The camera mount also has one or more adjustable couplings to provide at least two degrees of freedom of camera movement with respect to the camera mount. The adjustable couplings are selected to hold the camera at a position and orientation with respect to the camera mount to align the field of view of the camera such that it extends from the aperture of the removable backplate, through the open interior region of the housing, and through the display to be aligned with the line of sight of a user on the display.

[0007] In some embodiments, the rear wall defines an outer major surface, and the peripheral contour interior defines a shoulder that extends around the opening defined by the housing and laterally external to the opening. The shoulder may be recessed from the outer major surface of the rear wall.

[0008] The shoulder can be partially or fully extended around the opening defined by the back plate. In one embodiment where the shoulder is partially extended around the opening, the shoulder extends from a first end to a second end leaving a gap within the shoulder between the first end and the second end. The interface surface of the removable back plate can define a tongue configured to be seated within the gap in the shoulder. By placing the tongue on the housing wall between the first end and the second end of the shoulder, the housing wall is aligned with the back wall of the housing, defining a fulcrum for the back plate to be rotated to its coupling position therewith.

[0009] Also, the disclosed teleprompter may include one or more threaded fasteners. Further, the housing can define threaded recesses having threads corresponding to one or more of the helical fasteners. The recesses may be complementary to the threads of the fasteners to allow the fasteners and the housing to be screwed together and separated from each other. In some embodiments, the back plate defines an opening aligned with the threaded recess of the housing when the back plate is in its coupling position. One of the fasteners may extend through the opening of the back plate into the threaded recess. The fastener and the tongue can hold the back plate at its coupling position with the back wall of the housing when the tongue of the back plate is seated within the gap in the shoulder, the fastener extends through the opening of the back plate, and the fastener is screwed into the threaded recess of the housing.

[0010] Also, some embodiments of the removable back plate have an outer peripheral region and a shroud. The shroud may be coupled to the outer peripheral region of the back plate. For example, the shroud can extend longitudinally rearward of the teleprompter from the outer peripheral region of the removable back plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the removable backplate defines an outer major surface that is located on the opposite side of the back of the open interior region when the removable backplate is coupled to the back wall of the housing. Embodiments of the removable backplate can define a recess from the outer major surface. The recess can have a bottom with a perimeter, and the concave wall can extend from the outer major surface to the bottom around the perimeter of the bottom. Further, the bottom of the recess can define an aperture of the removable backplate. In some embodiments, the bottom of the recess defines a shoulder around the aperture. The shoulder can project in a direction away from the open interior region of the housing from the bottom of the recess. In some embodiments, the recess is configured such that when the backplate is in the coupled position and the presenter reads the text projected onto the display from the monitor and while reading, the field of view of the camera extends through the aperture in the bottom and is removably fastened to the camera in a manner that is aligned with the line of sight of the presenter.

[0012] In some embodiments, the removable backplate is configured to be coupled with one or more interchangeable camera adapters. For example, the backplate can have one or more elastically movable bosses configured to be pushed inwardly with respect to an aperture in the backplate from an outermost position to an innermost position.

[0013] The movable boss can hold a camera adapter (e.g., a so-called "step-up ring") with a removable backplate. For example, the external major surface can be located outside the aperture through the plate and define a concave track that extends at least partially around the aperture. Also, the backplate can have a backplate cap with a channel. The backplate cap can have a shape complementary to the concave track and can be positioned therein. The elastically movable boss can be movably captured between the concave track and the backplate cap. Further, the removable backplate can have an elastically compressible spring positioned within a channel defined by the inner wall and the backplate cap. The elastically compressible spring can be positioned between the elastically movable boss and the inner wall, and the elastically compressible spring pushes the elastically movable boss away from the inner wall and towards the inside of the aperture.

[0014] In some embodiments, the concave track is a U-shaped track that defines an inner region that extends around the aperture of the backplate such that the aperture is located within the inner region of the U-shaped track.

[0015] The major outer surface of the backplate can define a flange region that extends around the aperture of the backplate between the outer perimeter of the aperture and the concave track. The step-up ring can have an outer flange sized to couple with the flange region of the backplate. The elastically movable boss and the step-up ring can be complementarily configured such that when the outer flange of the step-up ring is coupled with the flange region of the backplate and the elastically movable boss is in its innermost position, the elastically movable boss holds the step-up ring on the backplate. For example, the step-up ring can define a detent, and at the innermost position, the elastically movable boss can be positioned within the detent of the step-up ring, thereby holding the step-up ring on the backplate. In other embodiments, the step-up ring can be positioned between the flange region of the outer major surface and the elastically movable boss when the elastically movable boss is in its innermost position, thereby holding the step-up ring on the backplate.

[0016] Also, the step-up ring can be configured to be removably attached to a camera having a field of view such that when the backplate is in a coupled position, the outer flange of the step-up ring is coupled with the flange region of the backplate, and the field of view of the camera is aligned with the presenter's line of sight while and when the presenter deciphers text projected from the monitor onto the display.

[0017] In some embodiments, the camera mount has a first major surface and a second major surface oriented transverse to the first major surface. The first major surface is movably attachable to the housing, and the second major surface can define a slot track, for example, to provide an adjustable mounting surface for the camera. For example, the first major surface can be oriented substantially vertically when and while the camera mount is coupled to the teleprompter. The second major surface can be oriented substantially horizontally when and while the camera mount is coupled to the teleprompter.

[0018] The slot track can be a first slot track, and the second major surface can define one or more other slot tracks. Also, the camera mount can include a body and a fastener having a threaded stud. The threaded stud can be sized to extend laterally through a stud slot track and from the second major surface to provide a mounting position for the camera. Since the fastener is movable in and along the slot track, an adjustable camera mounting position is provided.

[0019] In some embodiments, the slot track is straight. In other embodiments, the slot track is an L-shaped slot track having a first segment extending longitudinally with respect to the teleprompter and a second segment extending transverse to the first segment.

[0020] The aperture through the backplate can have a centroid, and the first segment of the slot track can be laterally offset from a plane extending through the centroid of the aperture and oriented orthogonal to the second major surface of the camera mount. In other embodiments of the track, the first segment of the slot track is oriented orthogonal to the second major surface of the camera mount and defines a longitudinal axis that lies within a plane extending through the centroid of the aperture.

[0021] A method of operating a teleprompter as described above is also described. The teleprompter can have, for example, a display, a camera mount, and a housing that defines an open interior region. The housing can have a back wall that partially defines a boundary of an opening and the interior region that extends therethrough. The housing can define an interface region that extends at least partially around the opening. The teleprompter can have a removable backplate having an interface region that can be coupled to the interface region of the housing so as to block light outside the housing from entering the open interior region through the interface between the interface region of the housing and the interface region of the backplate. The backplate can define an aperture.

[0022] To operate the teleprompter, the camera can be mounted to the camera mount at a selected position and in a selected orientation relative to the camera mount in a manner that extends the camera's field of view through the aperture of the removable backplate, through the open interior region of the housing, and through the display and is aligned with the user's line of sight on the display. Text or other image cues can be projected onto the display.

[0023] The removable backplate can be selected from a plurality of removable backplates according to one or more characteristics of the camera. The removable backplate can be coupled to the back wall of the housing. The operation of coupling the removable backplate to the back wall of the housing can include the step of coupling the interface region of the backplate to the interface region of the housing and the step of holding the backplate in an arrangement coupled to the back wall of the housing with a fastener.

[0024] In some embodiments, the step-up plate can be removably attached to the camera, and the step-up plate can be coupled to the removable backplate.

[0025] During operation, the selected orientation of the camera can be adjusted in response to changes in the user's line of sight on the display.

[0026] The above content, other features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Referring to the plurality of drawings and the drawings in which similar numerals refer to similar parts in this specification, embodiments of the presently disclosed principles are shown by way of example and not limitation.

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] The various principles related to teleprompters are described below. For example, some of the disclosed principles relate to teleprompter adapters that are compatible with various different camera types, sizes, orientations, and features. Further, some of the disclosed principles relate not only to adjustable camera mounts that further extend the compatibility of the teleprompter over a range of focal lengths, but also to different presenters who tend to find different positions on the teleprompter screen. However, the description of the specific embodiments in this application is merely a specific example selected to facilitate the explanation of the disclosed principles. One or more of the disclosed principles may be incorporated into various other embodiments to achieve any of the various corresponding system characteristics, as will be apparent from a review of the present disclosure.

[0029] Accordingly, systems having different attributes from the specific features discussed in this application can embody one or more of the presently disclosed principles and can be used in applications not described in detail herein. Thus, such alternative embodiments also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] I. Overview

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 1, an example of a teleprompter having the features as described in this application is generally shown. The teleprompter 100 shown has a housing 110 that defines an open interior region 120 (FIG. 3). The open interior region has a front face 122 (FIG. 4) and an opposite rear face 124 (FIG. 5a). Referring to FIGS. 1 - 3, the housing also has side walls 112 that define the outer boundary of the open interior region and extend longitudinally from the front face 122 to the rear face 124 of the open interior region.

[0032] A display, for example, a beam splitter 130 is shown coupled to the housing 110 and extending across the front of the open interior region 120. In FIG. 1, a monitor (or projector) 140 is oriented laterally with respect to the display 130, for example, below the display, in a manner such that the monitor projects an image, such as text or other cues, onto the display. The teleprompter 100 includes a monitor tray 142 configured to support a monitor, such as a commercially available tablet, in a manner such that the monitor is oriented laterally with respect to the display from a position below the display so that an image of the monitor is projected onto the display 130. For example, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the monitor tray 142 can have a base plate 142a and a frame 142b coupled and fastened to the base plate, which grip the monitor 140 therebetween.

[0033] Ultimately, the display reflects incident light from the monitor so that an image from the monitor is visible to the presenter in front of the teleprompter. For example, the beam splitter 130 in FIG. 1 is oriented at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the screen of the monitor 140.

[0034] As will be described more fully below, a camera (not shown) may be mounted behind the beam splitter 130, and the field of view of the camera can extend through the beam splitter. As the presenter reads the text or other cues reflected by the beam splitter, the presenter's line of sight is directed toward the lens of the camera, providing the impression that the presenter is looking at the camera. Since the incident light from the monitor is reflected by the beam splitter toward the presenter, the camera can capture an image of the presenter without being affected by the image projected from the monitor.

[0035] The housing also has a rear wall 114 corresponding to the rear of the open internal region 120. As shown in FIG. 5a, for example, the rear wall 114 defines an opening 116. In some embodiments, the opening 116 provides a standard interface 118 (FIGS. 6-9) that is compatible with various removable and replaceable backplates. By means of this standard interface, each replaceable backplate can be coupled to the housing and can prevent external light from entering the interior (this reduces the perceived quality of the presenter of the image reflected by the beam splitter). Further, each replaceable backplate can provide a camera interface that is compatible with one or more selected camera types, configurations, and features. As will be described in connection with one or more of FIGS. 10-15, by defining a standard interface 118 between the housing 110 and various replaceable backplates, for example, backplates, the teleprompter 100 can be manufactured to be compatible with a far greater variety of camera types, configurations, and features than existing teleprompters having a fixed rear wall configuration. Further, the standard interface between the housing 110s and various replaceable backplates makes it more convenient for the user to use cameras of different types, configurations, and features as long as the user only needs to alternate the backplate to change the camera. In contrast, the user often has to replace an existing teleprompter when the user needs to change the camera.

[0036] In addition to the flexibility provided by the interchangeable backplate, the disclosed teleprompter integrates an easily adaptable camera mount to provide a platform for a teleprompter that is easily adjustable and customizable by the user. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-5a and 16-20, the camera mount 150 may be located behind the open interior region 120 and attached to the housing 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the camera mount 150 provides at least three degrees of freedom of movement to the attached camera. For example, the mount 150 (and the camera attached thereto) can translate vertically with respect to the housing 110 by an interface provided between the vertically oriented wall 152 of the mount and the vertically oriented opposite wall 111 of the housing. The horizontally oriented wall 154 of the mount can define one or more slots 155 or other camera attachment features to provide two or more degrees of freedom of movement to a camera (not shown) with respect to the mount 150. For example, the camera can translate longitudinally and laterally continuously in slot 153 (FIG. 16). Alternatively, the camera may be attached at any of a plurality of positions longitudinally and laterally among a plurality of slots that form two slot arrays 157 adjacent to a central longitudinal slot 159. In combination with the vertical movement of the mount 150 with respect to the housing 110, a camera (not shown) supported by the camera mount can have at least three degrees of freedom of movement with respect to other components of the teleprompter 100 (e.g., the housing 110, the display 130, the open interior region 120).

[0037] Further details of the disclosed principles are presented below. Section II describes the principles related to the housing of the teleprompter. Section III describes the principles related to the interchangeable backplate that is compatible with some housing embodiments. Section IV describes the principles related to the camera mount that provides substantial flexibility to the user when attaching a camera to the teleprompter. Section V describes the principles related to the assembly and use of the disclosed teleprompter, and Section VI describes the principles related to other embodiments.

[0038] II. Teleprompter Housing

[0039] As noted, the teleprompter housing 110 shown in FIG. 1 defines an open interior region 120. A beam splitter 130 extends across the front of the open interior region supported by the housing. The housing 110 has side walls 112 that define the outer peripheral boundary of the open interior region. The back wall 114 of the housing defines an opening 116 and its inner peripheral contour. The opening 116 shown in FIGS. 6-9 has an inner peripheral contour configured to couple with a back plate, such as back plate 160 (FIG. 5a) having complementary contour regions. When assembled together, the housing 110 and the back plate 160 block any entry into the open interior region 120 except for light external to the housing passing through the beam splitter 130. This improves the user's perception of both the image captured by a camera (not shown) mounted on the back of the housing and back plate assembly and the reflected image projected onto the beam splitter.

[0040] A movable mount 150 coupled to the housing 110 allows for at least one degree of freedom of movement of the camera mount relative to the housing (e.g., vertically in FIGS. 1-5a). As will be described more fully below, some mount embodiments provide additional options for adjusting the position and orientation of the camera relative to the housing, e.g., relative to the presenter's line of sight, when the presenter reads the cues reflected by the beam splitter.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, the housing 110 can define an outer major surface through which the opening 116 passes. In FIGS. 6-9, the back wall 114 of the housing 110 defines the opening 116. However, in other embodiments, the opening 116 can extend around a bend or edge of the housing 110 such that, for example, the opening extends from the back wall 114 to one or more of the side walls 112.

[0042] In any such embodiment, whether the opening is limited to a single wall or extends across two or more walls, a standard interface region 118 can be provided for coupling and fastening the inner periphery of the opening to a backplate having complementary features. Each of the various backplates can have a camera interface compatible with a selected range of camera configurations. Thus, the standard opening 116 defined by the housing 110 can be readily made compatible with a wide range of camera configurations, for example, by alternating one backplate compatible with a first range of camera configurations with another backplate compatible with another (e.g., second) range of camera configurations.

[0043] As an additional example, the standard interface region defined by the opening 116 may include the inner periphery of the contour of the opening that defines a shoulder 119 that extends around the opening and laterally outward of the opening. The shoulder 119 may be recessed from the major surface 113 external to the back wall 114. Specifically, the housing wall can define a concave shoulder (or flange) 119 recessed from the major surface 113 external to the housing 110. The shoulder 119 may extend fully or partially around the aperture of the opening 116, for example, laterally inward from the periphery of the recess 117.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 6-9, since the shoulder 119 can extend partially around the opening 116 from a first end 119a to a second end 119b, a gap 121 is left within the shoulder between the first and second ends. The gap within the shoulder can provide a convenient means for aligning and securing the backplate to the housing. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a removable backplate can be mounted within the gap 121 and can define a tongue 161 that overlaps the housing wall 114, providing a fulcrum 163 for the backplate to rotate into alignment with and into the coupling position with the housing.

[0045] Other approaches for providing a coupling between the backplate and the housing are possible and will be understood by those skilled in the art, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific interface embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0046] III. Backplate

[0047] As briefly described above, the removable backplate 160 can define a contour interface region 164 that is complementary to the inner perimeter of the opening 116 defined by the back wall 114 of the housing 110. In FIG. 9, for example, when the contour perimeter of the interface region 163 of the backplate is coupled with the corresponding contour perimeter of the opening 116 defined by the housing, the removable backplate can overlap the back wall of the housing and block external light from entering the inner region 120 of the housing. In FIGS. 9-15, the interface regions 163 of the respective removable backplates 160, 160a, 160b define tongues 161 that are configured to be received within the gap 121 in the shoulder and to overlap the corresponding regions of the housing wall. The edge of the housing wall can provide a fulcrum 163 (FIG. 9) on which the tongues of the backplates 160, 160a, 160b can rest, and the gap in the shoulder can align the backplate with the back wall of the housing. When the backplate is aligned and the tongue is placed on the fulcrum, the backplate can rotate to a coupled position with the housing. An example of such a coupled position is shown in FIG. 9.

[0048] The teleprompter may include one or more fasteners for removably securing the backplate to the housing. For example, as shown in FIG. 5a, the thumb screw 170 can have an oversized head 172 that can be grasped by a user, and a threaded stud 174 that extends longitudinally from the head. Correspondingly, the housing can define a threaded recess 171 (FIG. 4) having threads corresponding to the threads of the thumb screw 170. Further, the backplates 160, 160a, 160b can define through holes 166 that are aligned with the threaded recesses 171 of the housing when the backplate is in the coupled position, allowing the fastener to extend into the threaded recess through the through holes of the backplate.

[0049] With such complementary fasteners, recesses, and through holes, the fastener and the housing can be screwed together and separated from each other, compressing the backplate therebetween. The oversized head of the thumb screw can allow the user to easily thread or unthread the fastener with the housing, thereby allowing the user to use only their hands to secure the backplate to the housing without relying on other tools such as a screwdriver, pliers, or wrench.

[0050] In addition, the removable backplate can define an aperture through which the field of view of the camera can be extended. In other words, for example, the camera can be positioned to view the aperture defined by the backplate. The backplate, for example, some embodiments of the backplate 160b define an aperture 165b corresponding to a specific camera configuration. For example, some cameras have an interface complementary to an area of the backplate adjacent to the aperture of the backplate, for example, one or more mechanical features defined by the body of the camera. In other embodiments of the backplate, for example, in the backplates 160, 160a, the apertures 165, 165a of the backplate are wider than the field of view of the camera. In any one of such embodiments of the backplate, when the removable backplate is coupled to and cooperates with the housing, it can block the entry of light outside the housing into the open inner region through the back.

[0051] For example, referring to FIGS. 1, 10, and 11, the "universal" backplate 160 can incorporate a shroud 169 or curtain that can cover or surround a camera (not shown). For example, the backplate 160 (FIGS. 10 and 11) can define an outer peripheral region 162 to which the shroud is coupled. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the shroud 169 extends longitudinally rearward from the outer peripheral region 162 of the removable backplate to the teleprompter. A suitable shroud may be hard or rigid, such as made of plastic, metal, or other materials, such as composites. In other embodiments, a suitable shroud may be in the form of a cape, bag, or curtain made of a suitable material, such as a fabric or a thin plastic sheet.

[0052] As noted, some embodiments of the backplate are compatible with a particular camera or camera type. For example, the removable backplate 160b (Figs. 14 and 15) can define an external major surface 180 that is located on the opposite side of the back of the open internal region 120 when the removable backplate 160b is coupled to the rear wall 114 of the housing 110. Also, the removable backplate 160a can define a recess 181 from the external major surface 180. In Fig. 14, the recess has a bottom 182. The peripheral wall 183 of the recess 181 may extend from the external major surface 180 to the bottom 181. The bottom 181 can define an aperture 165b of the removable backplate 160b. Further, the bottom of the recess can define a shoulder 184 around the aperture 160b. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the shoulder 184 projects in a direction away from the open internal region of the housing from the bottom 182 of the recess. Such a recess 181 may be configured to removably fasten to a camera (not shown) having complementary features for holding the camera in the backplate 160b. Further, the camera can have a field of view that extends through the aperture 165b and is aligned with the presenter's line of sight when the backplate 160b is in its coupled position with the housing 110 and while the presenter reads and during reading of text projected onto the display 130 from the monitor 140.

[0053] In other embodiments, the removable backplate can define an external major surface 180a located on the opposite side of the back of the open internal region 120 when the removable backplate 160a is coupled to the back wall 114 of the housing 110, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. However, unlike the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the removable backplate 160a shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 can integrate different camera interfaces. For example, the backplate 160a can be attached to or fastened to various camera configurations, such as various camera lenses or body configurations (not shown), or is compatible with various so-called step-up rings. More specifically, the backplate 160a includes one or more (two in FIGS. 12 and 13) elastically movable bosses 185 configured to be pushed inward with respect to the aperture 165a within the backplate 160a from an outermost position to an innermost position with respect to the aperture 165a.

[0054] The external major surface 180a of the backplate 160a can define a track located outside the aperture 165a, such as a concave track 186. The concave track 186 may be partially extended around the aperture 165a. The backplate cap 187 can define a channel 188, and the backplate cap can have a shape complementary to the concave track 186. The backplate cap 187 can be located within the concave track 186. Also, the backplate 160a can define an internal wall 189.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the concave track can be a U-shaped track that defines an internal region 186a. Such a U-shaped track can be extended around the aperture 165a such that the aperture is located within the internal region of the U-shaped track.

[0056] The elastically movable boss can be movably captured between an external major surface 180a (e.g., within the region of the concave track 186) and a backplate cap 187 (e.g., within a portion of the channel 188). Also, the elastically compressible spring 185a can be positioned within the space between the channel defined by the backplate cap and the concave track. Further, the elastically compressible spring 185a can be positioned between the elastically movable boss 185 and the inner wall 189 such that the elastically compressible spring elastically pushes the elastically movable boss away from the inner wall and towards, for example, the central region of the aperture 165a.

[0057] Also, the external major surface 180a of the backplate 160a can define a flange region 190 that extends around the aperture 165a, for example, between the outer periphery 191 of the aperture and the concave track 186. Such a flange 190 can provide a coupling surface for a step-up ring (not shown) having a corresponding size external flange. For example, the step-up ring can generally have an annular profile, and the inner opening can conform to the aperture 165a whose shape is defined by the backplate. In some embodiments, the inner opening of the step-up ring can be circular, and in other embodiments, polygonal. In some cases, the size of the inner opening can correspond to the field of view of a considered camera and still be of a size to provide a flange surface on the step-up ring to couple to the flange region 190 of the backplate. For step-up rings larger or smaller than that allowed by the aperture and flange of a given backplate, similar but different backplates can be alternated for non-compatible backplates.

[0058] The elastically movable boss 185 and the step-up ring can be complementarily configured such that when the outer flange of the step-up ring engages the flange region 190 of the backplate, the elastically movable boss holds the step-up ring on the backplate. For example, when the elastically movable boss is in its innermost position, the boss 185 can be in a detent defined by the step-up ring and hold the step-up ring on the backplate when the elastically movable boss is in its innermost position. In other embodiments, the elastically movable boss 185 can overlap the body of the step-up ring, and the step-up ring can be positioned between the flange region 190 of the backplate and the elastically movable boss to hold the step-up ring on the backplate.

[0059] The disclosed step-up ring may be removably attached to a selected camera in such a way that when the backplate is in the coupled position, the outer flange of the step-up ring engages the flange region of the backplate, and the camera's field of view is aligned with the presenter's line of sight when and while the presenter deciphers text projected onto the display from the monitor.

[0060] IV. Camera Mount

[0061] As noted above, the camera mount can provide the camera with multiple, e.g., three or more, degrees of freedom of movement. For example, referring to FIGS. 16 - 20, the mount 150 has a slot 152a and a vertically oriented wall 152 through which a stud (thumb screw) 174 (FIG. 5a) of the thumb screw 170 extends by being screwed to the back wall 111 of the housing (FIG. 5a). The major surface defined by the vertically oriented wall of the mount can slide vertically relative to the housing from an upper range corresponding to the lower end of the slot 152a to a lower range corresponding to the upper end of the slot, providing one degree of freedom of movement.

[0062] In addition, the camera mount 150 has a horizontally oriented wall 154 that extends longitudinally rearward from a vertically oriented wall 152. The horizontally oriented wall 154 provides at least two degrees of freedom of movement for the camera (e.g., longitudinally and laterally from a horizontal plane). For example, the horizontally oriented wall 154 can define one or more slots or tracks that allow the camera to move relative to the major surface of the wall 154.

[0063] In addition, the mount 150 can include a thumbscrew 170 that extends laterally through one or more selected from the slot tracks 153, 155, 157, 159 and onto the major surface of the horizontally oriented wall 154, providing a mounting position for the camera. The fastener is movable in and from the slot track, providing an adjustable camera mounting position. As shown in FIG. 16, one or more of the slot tracks 159 may be straight, and one or more of the other slot tracks 153 may be L-shaped, having, for example, a first segment 153a that extends longitudinally with respect to the teleprompter and a second segment 153b that extends laterally with respect to the first segment. Other track configurations, such as T-shaped, U-shaped, etc. are possible. In addition, the mount 150 can define a plurality of slots or tracks arranged in one or more arrays, as shown by the array 157 adjacent to the longitudinally elongated track 159 in FIG. 16.

[0064] Referring again to FIGS. 10 - 15, the apertures 165, 165a, 165b through each backplate can have a region centroid (e.g., the "center" for an irregular polygon, or the center for a circle, square or other regular polygon). A vertical plane can be defined that is orthogonal to the major plane of the horizontal extension wall 154 and passes through the region centroids of the apertures 165, 165a, 165b. In some track embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, segments 153a, 153b of the slot track 153 or slot track 155 may be laterally offset from the plane. Other track segments can be aligned, for example, like the track 159. Some track segments, for example, the track 155 and segment 153b cross such a plane, while other track segments are parallel to the plane, for example, like segment 153a. For example, a slot track can be placed within a plane or be parallel to a plane but define a longitudinal axis that is offset from the plane. Other track segments have a longitudinal axis that is lateral to the plane.

[0065] The combination of the vertical movement of the mount and the horizontal movement of the camera longitudinally and laterally with respect to the mount provides at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the camera with respect to the teleprompter housing. Also, some mount embodiments have couplings that sequentially provide one or more additional degrees of freedom to the camera, for example, in rotation. The camera mount provides the user with the ability to align the camera's field of view so that it extends from the aperture of the removable backplate, through the open interior region of the housing, and through the display, to be aligned with the user's line of sight on the teleprompter display.

[0066] V. Assembly and Operation

[0067] An exemplary method of assembling and operating the disclosed teleprompter will be described below. During setup of the teleprompter, a backplate compatible with the user's preferred camera can be selected from a plurality of interchangeable backplates, for example, according to one or more characteristics of the camera. Further, the backplate can be held in an array coupled to the rear wall of the housing by fasteners, for example, one or more thumb screws. The backplate can be coupled to the camera. For example, a step-up plate may be removably attached to the camera, the step-up plate may be coupled to a removable backplate, or vice versa. Similarly, the camera may be coupled to the backplate before the backplate is coupled to the housing of the teleprompter, or vice versa.

[0068] In some embodiments, the user can select a "universal" backplate, such as backplate 160 in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example.

[0069] Also, the user can mount the preferred camera on the camera mount of the teleprompter, such as camera mount 150, at a selected position and in a selected orientation relative to the horizontal extension wall 154. The user can select not only the vertical position of the camera mount, but also the position and orientation of the camera relative to the horizontal extension wall. In summary, the position and orientation of the camera mount may be selected such that the field of view of the camera extends through the aperture of the removable backplate, through the open interior region of the housing, and through the display. In a preferred approach, the axis of the field of view of the camera is aligned with the presenter's line of sight on the display when and while the presenter reads the cues, text, or other prompts on the display.

[0070] When the camera is mounted at a position and orientation selected relative to the presenter's intended or similar line of sight, text or other image cues can be projected onto the display, for example, by monitor 140. In some cases, the position, orientation, or both of the camera can be adjusted in response to changes in the user's line of sight on the display. For example, the vertical position of the mount can be adjusted, or the horizontal (lateral or longitudinal) position of the camera can be adjusted.

[0071] VI. Other Embodiments

[0072] The above examples generally relate to teleprompter systems and methods that can be used with a very wide variety of cameras while improving the alignment of the presenter's line of sight with the camera's field of view compared to existing teleprompters. Such descriptions are provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed principles. Embodiments that differ in detail from those described above do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, and any accompanying changes in the configuration of each device, along with changes in the order of method operations described herein, are considered based on the principles disclosed herein. Various modifications to the examples described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0073] For example, the wrap interface between the shoulder defined by the housing and the replaceable backplate is one possible embodiment of a complementary interface between the housing and the plate as described above. Similarly, the opening defined by the housing is only an example of such an opening, and those skilled in the art will be able to understand a very wide variety of possible interface configurations using the disclosed principles. For example, as another embodiment, the housing and the plate can define a complementary rail track interface. For example, here the housing can define a plurality of studs or bosses, and the plate can define one or more channels (or tracks) that are fastened to slide with one or more of the studs or bosses of the housing, or vice versa.

[0074] Directions and other relative references (e.g., up, down, upper end, lower end, left side, right side, rear, front, etc.) can be used to facilitate the discussion of the drawings and principles in this application, but are not for limiting purposes. For example, specific terms such as "up", "down", "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "vertical", "left side", "right side", etc. can be used. When such terms are applicable, they are used to provide some clarity in the description when dealing with relative relationships for the particularly shown embodiments. However, such terms are not for implying, for example, absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For an object, the "upper" surface can become the "lower" surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same surface, and the object is held similarly. As used in this application, "and / or" means not only "and" or "or", but also "and" and "or". Further, all patent and non-patent documents cited in this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0075] And those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments disclosed in this application can be adapted to various configurations and / or uses without departing from the disclosed principles. For example, the principles described above for any particular example can be combined with the principles described for other examples in this application. Accordingly, all structural and functional equivalents of the features and method operations of the various embodiments described in the disclosure known or later known to those skilled in the art are included in the described principles and the features and operations claimed in this application. Accordingly, the claims and this detailed description are not to be construed in a limiting sense, and after consideration of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will be able to understand a very wide variety of teleprompters, and related methods and systems that can be devised using the various concepts described in this application.

[0076] Furthermore, nothing disclosed in this application is intended to be made available to the public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No claim feature should be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112(f) unless the feature is expressly recited using the phrases "means for" or "step for".

[0077] The appended claims are not intended to be limited to the examples shown in this application, but rather the full scope consistent with the language of the claims should be given, and references to singular features, such as the use of "one" or "a", mean "one and only one" and are not intended to mean "one or more" unless specifically stated. Further, considering the many possible embodiments to which the disclosed principles may be applied, including, for example, the right to claim all that is within the scope and spirit of the foregoing description, not only any and all combinations of the features and techniques described in this application, but also any claim presented at any time over the course of this application or any continuation of this application claiming the benefit or priority therefrom, literally and equally recited, and by the claims appended hereto, although more specific, the right to claim combinations not expressly recited is reserved.

Claims

1. A method of operating a teleprompter including a display, a camera mount, and a housing defining an open interior region, the housing having an aperture through which it extends and a back wall that partially defines a boundary of the open interior region, the housing defining an interface region that extends at least partially around the aperture, the teleprompter further including a removable back plate having an interface region that can be coupled to the interface region of the housing so as to block external light from entering the open interior region through an interface between the interface region of the housing and the interface region of the back plate, the removable back plate defining an external major surface that is located on the opposite side of the back of the open interior region when the removable back plate is coupled to the back wall of the housing, the removable back plate defining a recess from the external major surface, the recess having a bottom with a periphery, and a recessed wall extending around the periphery of the bottom from the external major surface to the bottom, the bottom of the recess defining an aperture of the removable back plate, the method comprising: mounting a camera in a selected position and a selected orientation relative to the camera mount in a manner that extends through the aperture of the removable back plate, through the open interior region of the housing, and through the display so as to be aligned with the user's line of sight on the display; and projecting text or other image cues on the display.

2. The method of operating a teleprompter according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting the selected orientation of the camera in response to a change in the user's line of sight on the display.

3. selecting the removable back plate from a plurality of removable back plates according to one or more characteristics of the camera. The method of operating a teleprompter according to claim 1, further comprising the step of coupling the removable backplate to the back wall of the housing.

4. The operation of coupling the removable backplate to the back wall of the housing includes the step of coupling an interface region of the backplate to an interface region of the housing, and the step of holding the backplate in an array coupled to the back wall of the housing with a fastener. The method of operating a teleprompter according to claim 3.

5. A teleprompter, A removable backplate, A housing defining an open interior region, the open interior region having a back and an opposite front, the housing defining an outer boundary of the open interior region and having at least one side wall extending longitudinally from the front to the back, the housing further having a back wall corresponding to the back of the open interior region, the back wall of the housing defining an opening and a peripheral inner contour thereof, the back wall of the housing being configured to be coupled to the removable backplate having an interface region with a peripheral outer contour complementary to the peripheral inner contour of the opening defined by the back wall of the housing such that when the peripheral outer contour of the interface region is coupled, the removable backplate cooperates with the back wall of the housing to block light outside the housing from entering the open interior region through the back, the removable backplate defining an aperture and being coupled to the housing, A display coupled to the housing defining the outer boundary of the open interior region and extending across the front of the open interior region, A monitor mount configured to support a monitor and orient the monitor laterally with respect to the display. One or more adjustable couplings, including a camera mount movably coupled to the housing to allow at least one degree of freedom of movement of the camera mount relative to the housing, the camera mount providing at least two degrees of freedom of camera movement relative to the camera mount, and the camera being configured to hold the camera at a selected position and orientation relative to the camera mount to align the field of view of the camera so that it extends from the aperture of the removable backplate, through the open interior region of the housing, and through the display to be aligned with the user's line of sight on the display. One or more adjustable couplings, The removable backplate defines an external major surface located on the opposite side of the back of the open interior region when the removable backplate is coupled to the back wall of the housing. The removable backplate defines a recess from the external major surface. The recess has a bottom with a periphery, and the recessed wall extends around the periphery of the bottom from the external major surface to the bottom. The bottom of the recess defines an aperture of the removable backplate, a teleprompter.

6. The back wall includes an external major surface, and the inner periphery of the contour includes a shoulder that extends around and laterally outside the opening. The shoulder is recessed from the external major surface of the back wall. The teleprompter according to claim 5.

7. The shoulder is partially extended around the opening defined by the backplate from a first end to a second end, leaving a gap within the shoulder between the first end and the second end. The teleprompter according to claim 6.

8. The interface surface of the removable backplate defines a tongue configured to be received within the gap in the shoulder, aligned with the back wall of the housing, and providing a fulcrum for the backplate to be rotated to a coupling position with the housing. The teleprompter according to claim 7.

9. The teleprompter further includes a fastener defining a thread, and the housing defines a threaded recess having a thread that is complementary to the thread of the fastener so that the fastener and the housing can be screwed together and separated from each other. The back plate further defines an opening aligned with the threaded recess of the housing when the back plate is in the coupling position such that the fastener extends into the threaded recess through the opening of the back plate. The teleprompter according to claim 8.

10. The fastener and the tongue are configured such that when the tongue of the back plate is received within a gap in the shoulder, the fastener extends through an opening of the back plate, and the fastener is screwed into the threaded recess of the housing, the back plate is held at a coupling position with the rear wall of the housing. The teleprompter according to claim 9.

11. The removable back plate further includes an outer peripheral region, and the teleprompter further includes a shroud coupled to the outer peripheral region of the back plate. The teleprompter according to claim 5.

12. The shroud extends longitudinally rearward of the teleprompter from the outer peripheral region of the removable back plate. The teleprompter according to claim 11.

13. The bottom of the recess defines a shoulder around the aperture, and the shoulder projects away from the bottom of the recess and into the open interior region of the housing. The teleprompter according to claim 12.

14. The recess is further configured such that when the back plate is in the coupling position and a presenter reads and during reading of text projected from the monitor onto the display, the field of view of the camera extends through the aperture and is removably fastened to a camera having a field of view that is aligned with the line of sight of the presenter. The teleprompter according to claim 12. **Claim 15**: The removable backplate defines an external major surface located on the side opposite to the back of the open internal region when the removable backplate is coupled to the back wall of the housing. The removable backplate further includes an elastically movable boss configured to be pushed inwardly with respect to an aperture in the backplate from an outermost position to an innermost position. The teleprompter according to claim 5. **Claim 16** The external major surface defines a concave track located external to the aperture. The concave track extends partially around the aperture. The backplate further includes a backplate cap having a channel. The backplate cap has a shape complementary to the concave track and is located therein. The elastically movable boss is movably captured between the concave track of the external major surface and the channel of the backplate cap. The teleprompter according to claim 15. **Claim 17** The removable backplate further includes an elastically compressible spring located within a channel defined by an inner wall and the backplate cap. The elastically compressible spring is located between the elastically movable boss and the inner wall and the elastically compressible spring pushes the elastically movable boss away from the inner wall. The teleprompter according to claim 16. **Claim 18** The concave track is a U-shaped track defining an inner region. The U-shaped track extends around the aperture of the backplate such that the aperture is located within the inner region of the U-shaped track. The teleprompter according to claim 17. **Claim 19** The major outer surface of the backplate defines a flange region that extends around the aperture of the backplate between the outer periphery of the aperture and the concave track, and the teleprompter further includes a step-up ring having an outer flange sized to be coupled to the flange region of the backplate, wherein the elastically movable boss and the step-up ring are complementarily configured such that when the outer flange of the step-up ring is coupled to the flange region of the backplate and the elastically movable boss is in the innermost position, the elastically movable boss holds the step-up ring on the backplate. The teleprompter according to claim 17.

20. The step-up ring defines a detent, and at the innermost position, the elastically movable boss is located within the detent of the step-up ring, whereby the backplate holds the step-up ring. The teleprompter according to claim 19.

21. The step-up ring is located between the flange region of the outer major surface and the elastically movable boss when the elastically movable boss is in the innermost position, whereby the backplate holds the step-up ring. The teleprompter according to claim 19.

22. The step-up ring is further configured to be removably attached to a camera having a field of view such that when the backplate is in the coupled position, the outer flange of the step-up ring is coupled to the flange region of the backplate, and during and while the presenter reads the text projected onto the display from the monitor, the field of view of the camera is aligned with the line of sight of the presenter. The teleprompter according to claim 19.

23. The camera mount includes a first major surface and a second major surface oriented laterally with respect to the first major surface, the first major surface being movably coupleable to the housing, and the second major surface defining a slot track. The teleprompter according to claim 5.

24. The slot track is a first slot track, and the second major surface defines one or more other slot tracks, the teleprompter according to claim 23.

25. The first major surface is oriented substantially perpendicular when and while the camera mount is coupled to the teleprompter, and the second major surface is oriented substantially horizontally when and while the camera mount is coupled to the teleprompter, the teleprompter according to claim 23.

26. The camera mount further includes a fastener including a body and a threaded stud, the threaded stud sized to extend laterally through the slot track and from the second major surface to provide a mounting position for the camera, the teleprompter according to claim 23.

27. The fastener is movable in and from the slot track to provide an adjustable camera mounting position, the teleprompter according to claim 26.

28. The slot track is linear, the teleprompter according to claim 23.

29. The slot track is an L-shaped slot track having a first segment extending longitudinally with respect to the teleprompter and a second segment extending laterally with respect to the first segment, the teleprompter according to claim 23.

30. The aperture through the backplate has a centroid, the first segment of the slot track is oriented perpendicular to the second major surface of the camera mount, and is laterally offset from a plane extending through the centroid of the aperture, the teleprompter according to claim 29.

31. The camera mount includes a first major surface and a second major surface oriented laterally with respect to the first major surface, the first major surface being movably coupleable to the housing, The slot track is an L-shaped slot track having a first segment extending longitudinally with respect to the teleprompter and a second segment extending laterally with respect to the first segment, The aperture through the backplate has a centroid, and the first segment of the slot track defines a longitudinal axis that is oriented orthogonal to the second major surface of the camera mount and is disposed within a plane that extends through the centroid of the aperture, the teleprompter of claim 5.

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