Wireless video camera and connection methods including multiple video or audio streams

• US 10,205,914 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2017
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Bateman, John, Ostap, Oleg, Hoheisel, Oliver, Kim, David, Karnataki, Vijay
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc Yen T
• Application Number:
  US15/799,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20180098035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 3482314
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/951 by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from wireless cameras are provided. Methods may include, at a network camera, receiving an instruction to begin video capture from a first network node, including information identifying a second network node. A first video stream may be sent from the network camera to the first network node, and a second video stream may be simultaneously sent to the second network node. The first and second video streams may be based on common video capture data, and may be sent at different bitrates, different resolutions, different frame-rates, and/or different formats. A parameter of the second video stream may be adjusted in response to performance data received from the second network node or another network node.

Claims

1. A method of sharing audio data between a first device, a second device and a remote service, comprising:

establishing a first wireless connection between the first device and the second device;

establishing a second connection between the first device and the remote service;

sending identification information related to the first device from the second device to the remote service;

receiving an audio stream at the second device from the remote service based on the identification information;

establishing a plurality of wireless connections between the second device and a plurality of devices including the first device,

wherein establishing the plurality of wireless connections includes a protocol negotiation based on one or more of an anticipated power requirements analysis for the plurality of devices, an anticipated usage requirements analysis for the plurality of devices, and anticipated or mandated security requirements associated with the plurality of devices, and

wherein the audio stream is communicated from the first device to the remote service without being processed by the second device, and the audio stream is communicated from the remote service to the second device without further processing by the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless connection includes a control channel for allowing the second device to control the first device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless connection includes an audio channel for allowing the second device to receive another audio stream from the first device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device is at least one of a wireless camera, a personal computer, a smart phone or a remote control.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second connection includes a wireless connection.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting a parameter of the audio stream in response to performance data.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the performance data includes at least one of latency, audio quality and processor workload.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein adjusting the parameter of the audio stream includes changing at least one of a compression ratio, a compression rate, a frame-rate, and a key-frame interval.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein adjusting the parameter of the audio stream includes selecting the parameter to be adjusted from a plurality of parameters based on at least one of the performance data, or an analysis of the first audio stream.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising adjusting parameters of a plurality of network devices sharing a common Internet connection to a second network node.

11. The method of claim 6 further comprising adjusting a compression ratio of the audio stream based on the performance data.

12. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

receiving information indicating that the quality of an audio stream is below a predetermined threshold; and

reducing the bitrate of the audio stream.

13. A method of sharing audio data between an audio capture device having a microphone, a host device and a remote service, comprising:

establishing a first wireless connection between the audio capture device and the host device;

establishing a second connection between the audio capture device and the remote service;

sending identification information related to the audio capture device from the host device to the remote service;

receiving an audio stream at the host device from the remote service based on the identification information;

establishing a plurality of wireless connections between the host device and a plurality of devices including the audio capture device,

wherein establishing the plurality of wireless connections includes a protocol negotiation based on one or more of an anticipated power requirements analysis for the plurality of devices, an anticipated usage requirements analysis for the plurality of devices, and anticipated or mandated security requirements associated with the plurality of devices, and

wherein the audio stream is communicated from the audio capture device to the remote service without being processed by the host device, and the audio stream is communicated from the remote service to the host device without further processing by the audio capture device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first wireless connection includes a control channel for allowing the host device to control the audio capture device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first wireless connection includes an audio channel for allowing the host device to receive another audio stream from the audio capture device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the host device is at least one of a wireless camera, a personal computer, a smart phone or a remote control.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the second connection includes a wireless connection.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting a parameter of the audio stream in response to performance data.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the performance data includes at least one of latency, audio quality and processor workload.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein adjusting the parameter of the audio stream includes changing at least one of a compression ratio, a compression rate, a frame-rate, and a key-frame interval.