SEALED, WATERPROOF DIGITAL ELECTRONIC CAMERA SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FABRICATING SAME

摘要

A hermetically sealed digital electronic camera that is designed to operate both on land and underwater to great depths, and method of making same. The present invention is a camera which is hermetically sealed by being totally encapsulated, preferably by being cast in plastic, with no seals, holes, joints, penetrating pins, wires or other objects. Wireless means are used for communicating information, electrical power and control signals. The invention is impervious to atmospheric contamination and absolutely incapable of leaking under water to great depths and pressures. In an alternate embodiment camera optics are not encapsulated but are immersed in water when the encapsulated digital camera is placed in water.

主权项

1. A waterproof digital electronic camera system comprising:
a) a digital electronic camera having a lens, a charge coupled device, a rechargeable power source, an electronic storage for storing pictures taken by said digital electronic camera in digital electronic form, control electronics, and a signal interface for downloading said pictures from said electronic storage device; b) an enclosure means for hermetically sealing water and air tight and supporting said digital electronic camera within said enclosure means so that said lens is positioned normal to one wall of said enclosure means; said enclosure being transparent in at least an area of said lens so that pictures may be taken through said enclosure; said enclosure means designed to be immersed to great depth within the ocean without crushing; c) means for recharging said power source from a charger external to said enclosure; and d) means for downloading pictures from said electronic storage device via said signal interface to a remote storage device external to said enclosure.