Adjustable Camera Stand for Stable Document Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in positioning webcams to view documents effectively, as existing mechanisms are not intuitive or stable for maintaining image orientation while moving the camera to different positions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable stand with a rotatable pole and arm that allows for stable movement in two directions using a single hand, featuring a user-graspable portion that rotates with the camera, maintaining image orientation and allowing vertical and horizontal adjustments for intuitive zoom functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the webcam is removed from the clamping mechanism to view documents, then the camera can be positioned over the document, but the image orientation rotates and becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic counterbalancing mechanism where the arm can rotate independently around the pole while the camera remains stabilized. The counterweight system dynamically adjusts to maintain horizontal image orientation even as the arm moves to different positions, resolving the contradiction between ease of positioning and image stability.
2Ease of operation
If the camera is held manually to view documents, then positioning is flexible, but the mechanism is not stable and requires two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary counterbalancing mechanism between the user's hand and the camera. The counterweight system acts as a mediator that provides stability and support, allowing single-handed operation while maintaining reliable positioning. The mechanical linkage transfers and balances forces, making the system both easy to operate and stable.
3Reliability
If the webcam is attached to the clamping mechanism, then the camera is stable, but it cannot be easily repositioned to view documents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera support system into independent components: a fixed clamping mechanism for stability, a rotatable pole for vertical positioning, and a horizontally extendable arm for document viewing. This segmentation allows the camera to remain stable while attached, yet easily repositioned by independently moving each segment to achieve document viewing orientation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to easily position the camera to view documents without rotating the image, providing a stable and intuitive mechanism for horizontal and vertical movements, enhancing user experience by maintaining image orientation and allowing for intuitive zoom functions.
Implementation Method 1
An extension mechanism in the arm has enough friction to hold the arm in place but allow the arm to extend and retract with respect to the pole in response to a user pulling or pushing the camera.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable stand for a camera with an attachment mechanism connecting the camera to a horizontal arm and a vertical pole. A user-graspable portion rotates with respect to the arm, allowing the user to hold the camera in a fixed orientation while moving the camera around, with the pole rotating and the arm extending and retracting to follow the user movement of the camera. Thus, the image orientation of an image captured by the camera is maintained, and not rotated. An extension mechanism in the arm has enough friction to hold the arm in place but allow the arm to extend and retract with respect to the pole in response to a user pulling or pushing the camera.