Wireless network camera systems

• US 10,326,965 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2017
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Siann, Jon, Espey, Dennis James
• Primary Examiner(s): Jain, Raj
• Application Number:
  US15/400,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20170301201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

Apparatus, systems and techniques associated with battery powered wireless camera systems. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a battery powered wireless camera including an internal battery to provide energy and a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods. The system includes a base station, separated from the battery powered wireless camera, in wireless communication with the battery powered wireless camera to receive information from the battery powered wireless camera. The base station is configured to process the received information and includes a web server to transmit the processed information to a client. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.

Claims

1. A wireless camera, comprising:

an image capturing module configured to capture images;

a low-bandwidth radio transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station; and

a high-bandwidth radio transceiver that is distinct from, and that can be separately powered down from, the low-bandwidth radio transceiver, the high-bandwidth radio transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the base station,

wherein the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to receive commands for operation of the wireless camera,

wherein the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to transmit the captured images to the base station,

wherein the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to periodically power down and the image capturing module is configured to store captured image data in a memory when the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is powered down; and

wherein the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to power up the high-bandwidth radio transceiver upon receiving a signal from the base station and to cause the high-bandwidth radio to transmit data stored in the memory.

2. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is further configured to perform two-way audio communication with the base station.

3. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is further configured to receive pan/tilt/zoom control signals for the wireless camera.

4. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is further configured to transmit information indicating health of the high-bandwidth radio transceiver to the base station.

5. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to receive information indicating open channels for the high-bandwidth radio transceiver from the base station.

6. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver has a longer range than the high-bandwidth radio transceiver.

7. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver performs handshaking operations with the base station to allow the high-bandwidth radio transceiver to communicate with the base station.

8. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is further configured to receive a request, from the base station, to retransmit data via the high-bandwidth radio transceiver.

9. A method for operating a wireless camera, the method comprising:

capturing images via an image capturing module;

wirelessly communicating with a base station via a low-bandwidth radio transceiver; and

wirelessly communicating with the base station via a high-bandwidth radio transceiver that is distinct from, and that can be separately powered down from, the low-bandwidth radio transceiver,

wherein the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to receive commands for operation of the wireless camera, and

wherein the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to transmit the captured images to the base station

wherein the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to periodically power down and the image capturing module is configured to store captured image data in a memory when the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is powered down; and

wherein the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to power up the high-bandwidth radio transceiver upon receiving a signal from the base station and to cause the high-bandwidth radio to transmit data stored in the memory.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

performing two-way audio communication with the base station via the low-bandwidth radio transceiver.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving pan/tilt/zoom control signals for the wireless camera via the low-bandwidth radio transceiver.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting information indicating health of the high-bandwidth radio transceiver to the base station, via the low-bandwidth radio transceiver.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving information indicating open channels for the high-bandwidth radio transceiver from the base station via the low-bandwidth radio transceiver.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the low-bandwidth radio transceiver has a longer range than the high-bandwidth radio transceiver.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

performing handshaking operations with the base station to allow the high-bandwidth radio transceiver to communicate with the base station, via the low-bandwidth radio transceiver.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a request, via the low-bandwidth radio transceiver, and from the base station, to retransmit data via the high-bandwidth radio transceiver.

17. A wireless system comprising:

a base station; and

a wireless camera comprising;

an image capturing module configured to capture images;

a low-bandwidth radio transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the base station; and

a high-bandwidth radio configured to wirelessly communicate with the base station, the high-bandwidth radio transceiver being distinct from and able to be separately powered down from, the low-bandwidth radio transceiver,

wherein the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to receive commands for operation of the wireless camera,

wherein the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to transmit the captured images to the base station,

wherein the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to periodically power down and the image capturing module is configured to store captured image data in a memory when the high-bandwidth radio transceiver is powered down; and

wherein the low-bandwidth radio transceiver is configured to power up the high-bandwidth radio transceiver upon receiving a signal from the base station and to cause the high-bandwidth radio to transmit data stored in the memory.