| Quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder -> Monitor Keywords |
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Quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoderRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Data Processing Systems: Input/output, Input/output Data Processing, Peripheral AdaptingQuick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070180164, Quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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 information services, but has also come to include services that have traditionally been non-interactive, such as the provision of radio programming and television programming. Streaming media, in primitive forms, has been present on the Internet for some time. However, as greater numbers of users gain access to high speed data lines through school, through work, or through a home based broadband solution, more people will come to see the Internet in general, and streaming media in particular, as a viable alternative for the delivery of media content. This includes daily programming such as typically appears on network broadcasting stations as well as special event programming such as movies and sporting events. [0004] Streaming media delivery is both promising and problematic. With traditional media delivery vehicles such as broadcasting and cable or satellite feeds, users typically must plan to be available when the broadcast is available or make other arrangements on their own. However with streaming media and Internet content, users expect delivery to be at their discretion. 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. [0005] In addition to digitally encoding legacy programming, economies may be gained by providing a real-time digital stream corresponding to a filmed or taped event as the event is occurring. In this way, an event need not be filmed or recorded in a traditional manner and then converted to an appropriate digital format. Live coverage of an event could be provided directly in a streaming digital format. The event would be "broadcast" over a packet-based network. For some events, it may be possible to skip the traditional filming entirely and simply provide coverage in a digital streaming format. Of course, the digital stream could also be archived for later viewing or retrieval. The digital streaming broadcast model may also appeal to those without sufficient capital to invest in traditional recording or broadcasting equipment. Home videos, for example, could be captured and streamed directly over the Internet. [0006] Therefore what is needed is a system and method for dealing with the issues discussed above and related issues. [0007] It is also desirable to facilitate the use of streaming media encoders in a variety of conditions. In some circumstances, e.g., when the encoder is stationary, the use of wired microphones, wired internet connections and/or grid power may be acceptable, whereas in other circumstances, e.g., when the encoder is mobile, the use of wireless microphones, wireless internet connections and/or battery power is preferable. 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. Further, it is desirable to have the ability to quickly change between different suites of accessory devices without individually mounting and connecting them. [0008] A need therefore exists, for a quick-connect accessory mount that facilitates quickly mounting and connecting accessory devices to a portable media encoder without individually mounting and connecting them, and vice-versa. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises, in one aspect thereof, a quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder having a housing, a video input port disposed on the housing to receive video signals, an audio input port disposed on the housing to receive audio signals, a digital output port disposed on the housing for transmitting, in a streamable format, digital information corresponding to received video and audio signals, an encoding processor enclosed within the housing for converting the received video and audio signals into a streamable digital format for transmitting through the digital output port. The quick-change accessory mount includes a substantially rigid frame having an upper surface and a lower surface. The frame is adapted for releaseable connection to the 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. [0010] The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises, in another aspect thereof, a quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder having a video input port, an audio input port, a digital output port for transmitting streamable format digital information corresponding to received video and audio signals, and an encoding processor for converting the received video and audio signals into a streamable digital format for transmitting through the digital output port. The accessory mount comprises a frame having an upper surface and a lower surface and adapted for releaseable attachment to a portable media encoder. A flexible cover is attached to the frame forming an enclosure above the upper surface of the frame. Circuitry operably connects a plurality of upper connectors disposed within the enclosure and lower connectors disposed below the lower surface of the frame. At least one accessory device is mounted within the enclosure on the upper surface of the frame and releaseable operably connected to at least one of the upper connectors, the accessory device being selected from the group consisting of a quick-release battery mount, a wireless microphone receiver, and a wireless ethernet bridge. The lower connectors are adapted to operably connect with the video input port, audio input port, and digital output port of a portable media encoder when the frame is attached to the portable media encoder, whereby the accessory device mounted in the enclosure is operably connectable to the portable media encoder when the frame is connected to the encoder housing. [0011] The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises, in a further aspect thereof, a quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder having a video input port, an audio input port, a digital output port for transmitting streamable format digital information corresponding to received video and audio signals, and an encoding processor for converting the received video and audio signals into a streamable format digital information. The accessory mount comprises a frame having a mounting portion and a circuitry housing portion. The mounting portion has an upper surface, a lower surface, and attachment structures for releaseably engaging a portable media encoder. The circuitry housing portion including a plurality of upper connectors disposed proximate to the upper surface of the mounting portion, a plurality of lower connectors disposed proximate to the lower surface of the frame, and circuitry operably connecting each of the upper connectors to one of the lower connectors. A cover is attached to the frame forming an enclosure above the upper surface of the frame and enclosing the upper connectors. The lower connectors are positioned on the circuitry housing portion so as to operably connect with the video input port, audio input port, and digital output port of a portable media encoder when the attachment structures engage the portable media encoder, whereby accessory device(s) mounted on the mounting portion and operably connected to the upper connectors within the enclosure may be releaseably operably connected to the portable media encoder via the circuitry and lower connectors when the accessory mount is engaged to the portable media encoder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which: [0013] FIG. 1 a frontal view of a portable media encoder according the aspects of the present disclosure; [0014] FIG. 2 is a back view of a rear panel of the portable media encoder of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the portable media encoder of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of one embodiment of a rack mount for a portable media encoder according to aspects of the present disclosure; [0017] FIG. 5 is a frontal view of another embodiment of a rack mount for a portable media encoder according to aspects of the present disclosure; [0018] FIG. 6 is a back view of one embodiment of a rack mount for a portable media encoder according to aspects of the present disclosure; [0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rack mounting system for portable media encoders according to aspects of the present disclosure; Continue reading about Quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder... Full patent description for Quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Quick-change accessory mount for a portable media encoder patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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