The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 09, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 14, 1998
Akira Yamane, Nagoya, JP;
Elmo Co., Ltd., Aichi, JP;
Abstract
An image pickup apparatus includes a video camera shooting a material placed on a stage to obtain an image signal delivered to an external reproducing equipment and a column for supporting the video camera so that the video camera is located over a central portion of the stage. The column is formed into a vertical two-stage structure including an upper column and a lower column. The video camera is located over the central portion of the stage when the lower column is rotated to stand and the upper column is extended straightforward from the lower column. The upper column is rotated so as to be folded at right angles to the lower column when an object in the rear of the stage is shot by the video camera. When the apparatus is folded, the lower column is brought down to lie along the stage and the upper column is folded relative to the lower column.