IP Library Granted Patent US 10,122,904
Granted Patent B2
US 10,122,904 · App. 15/206,611 · Granted Nov 6, 2018

Drain mechanism for camera controller

Inventors: Senka Agic Bergman (San Mateo, CA); Joyce Rosenbaum (Mountain View, CA)
Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
H04N5/23203H04N5/2252H04R1/028H04R2499/11
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,122,904
App. No.
15/206,611
Granted
Nov 6, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A camera controller is configured to control a camera through voice commands. The camera controller includes drain mechanisms that allow the camera controller to be used in environments in which the camera controller is exposed to fluids. The camera controller device comprises a housing body with an outer surface including a first opening and a second opening. A first channel extends from the first opening into the housing body and to a cavity in which a microphone is located, enabling audio signals entering the first opening to be captured by the microphone. A membrane is located between the first channel and the microphone to create a waterproof seal over the microphone. A second channel extends from the first channel to the second opening to create a drain such that fluid entering from the first opening can flow from the first channel through the second channel and out the second opening.

Claims (33)

1. A camera controller device comprising:

a housing body, the housing body including a first opening and a second opening, a top surface of the camera controller device including a recess running around a perimeter of the top surface, the top surface further including a camber such that a center portion of the top surface is elevated and slopes downwards towards the recess;

a first channel extending from the first opening into the housing body;

a microphone located within the housing body and configured to capture audio signals entering the first channel via the first opening;

a membrane located between the first channel and the microphone, the membrane creating a waterproof seal over the microphone; and

a second channel extending from the first channel to the second opening, the second channel creating a drain such that fluid entering the first opening can flow from the first channel through the second channel and out the second opening.

2. The camera controller device of claim 1 , wherein the recess creates a channel for fluid to prevent the fluid from collecting on the top surface.

3. The camera controller device of claim 2 , wherein the first opening is positioned within the recess.

4. The camera controller device of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is located on a side surface of the housing body.

5. The camera controller device of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is located on a bottom surface of the housing body.

6. The camera controller device of claim 1 , further comprising a gasket between the second channel and the housing body to prevent fluid from entering the housing body from the second channel.

7. The camera controller device of claim 1 , wherein the membrane enables the transmission of audio signals through the membrane but prevents the passage of fluid through the membrane.

8. The camera controller device of claim 1 , wherein the second channel angles away from the top surface of the camera controller device and towards a side surface of the camera controller device.

9. A camera controller device comprising:

a plurality of microphones configured to capture audio signals;

for each microphone:

a first opening on a first surface of the camera controller device, the first surface including a recess running around a perimeter of the first surface and a camber such that a center portion of the first surface is elevated and slopes downwards towards the recess;

a sound channel from the first opening to the microphone; and

a second opening on a second surface of the camera controller device; and

a drainage channel from the sound channel to the second opening such that fluid entering the first opening can flow through the sound channel, through the drainage channel, and out of the second opening.

10. The camera controller device of claim 9 , wherein the recess creates a channel for fluid to prevent the fluid from collecting on the first surface.

11. The camera controller device of claim 10 , wherein the first opening is positioned within the recess.

12. The camera controller device of claim 9 , wherein the second surface is a side surface of a housing body of the camera controller device.

13. The camera controller device of claim 9 , wherein the second surface is a bottom surface of a housing body of the camera controller device.

14. The camera controller device of claim 9 , further comprising a gasket between the drainage channel and a housing body of the camera controller device to prevent fluid from entering the housing body from the drainage channel.

15. The camera controller device of claim 9 , wherein a membrane is located between the sound channel and the microphone, the membrane configured to create a waterproof seal over the microphone, the membrane further configured to enable the transmission of audio signals through the membrane but prevent the passage of fluid through the membrane.

16. The camera controller device of claim 9 , wherein the drainage channel angles away from the first surface of the camera controller device and towards the second surface of the camera controller device.

17. A camera controller device comprising:

a housing body including a first opening, a second opening, and a top surface having a recess running around a perimeter of the top surface to create a channel for fluid to prevent the fluid from collecting on the top surface, the first opening being positioned within the recess;

a first channel extending from the first opening into the housing body;

a microphone located within the housing body and configured to capture audio signals entering the first channel via the first opening;

a membrane located between the first channel and the microphone, the membrane creating a waterproof seal over the microphone; and

a second channel extending from the first channel to the second opening, the second channel creating a drain such that fluid entering the first opening can flow from the first channel through the second channel and out the second opening.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2025
From: GOPRO, INC.
To: FARALLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 072340/0676 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2025
From: GOPRO, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 072358/0001 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: GOPRO, INC.
Reel/Frame 055106/0434 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2019
From: GOPRO, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048508/0728 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2016
From: GOPRO, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 040996/0652 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2016
From: BERGMAN, SENKA AGIC; ROSENBAUM, JOYCE
To: GOPRO, INC.
Reel/Frame 039248/0837 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180013946A1 · Jan 11, 2018