Motion detecting camera system

• US 20060203101A1
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Silsby, Christopher Dean
• Granted Patent: US 7,643,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

A motion detecting camera system includes a portable motion detection device having an image sensor for detecting motion within a field of view of the motion detection device and automatically generating a digital image of a scene within the field of view upon detection of motion. The motion detection device includes a cellular telephone transmitter for transmitting cellular telephone communications. The camera system includes a base unit having a display screen. The motion detection device is configured to automatically transmit the digital image via the transmitter to the base unit for display on the display screen.

Claims

1. A motion detecting camera system, comprising:

a portable motion detection device having an image sensor for detecting motion within a field of view of the motion detection device and automatically generating a digital image of a scene within the field of view upon detection of motion, the motion detection device including a cellular telephone transmitter for transmitting cellular telephone communications;

a base unit having a display screen; and

wherein the motion detection device is configured to automatically transmit the digital image via the transmitter to the base unit for display on the display screen.

2. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is a cellular telephone.

3. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is a computer.

4. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the motion detection device is configured to automatically transmit the digital image via the transmitter to a central monitoring station that monitors a plurality of motion detection devices.

5. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor is configured to detect motion based on analog image data captured by the image sensor.

6. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the motion detection device does not include a user input device or a display screen.

7. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the motion detection device does not include a cellular telephone receiver for receiving cellular telephone communications.

8. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the motion detection device includes a serial input/output interface for receiving configuration information from the base unit.

9. The motion detecting camera system of claim 8, wherein the configuration information includes motion detection sensitivity information, and destination contact information identifying destinations for digital images transmitted by the motion detection device.

10. The motion detecting camera system of claim 9, wherein the destination contact information includes at least one of a cellular telephone number and an email address.

11. The motion detecting camera system of claim 9, wherein the configuration information further includes information identifying dates and times that the motion detection device is to be enabled.

12. The motion detecting camera system of claim 1, wherein the motion detection device is configured to identify types of objects appearing in the digital image, and make a determination of whether to transmit the digital image based on the identified object types.

13. A method of capturing and transmitting images, comprising:

providing a portable battery-powered motion detection device having a low-power image sensor and a cellular telephone transmitter for transmitting cellular telephone communications;

detecting motion with the motion detection device based on image data;

automatically capturing an image of a scene with the image sensor in response to detection of motion; and

automatically transmitting the captured image via the transmitter to a cellular telephone for display.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the motion detection device is configured to detect motion based on analog image data captured by the image sensor.

15. The method of claim 13, and further comprising:

receiving configuration with the motion detection device, the configuration information transmitted by the cellular telephone.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the configuration information includes motion detection sensitivity information, and destination contact information identifying destinations for images transmitted by the motion detection device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the destination contact information includes a cellular telephone number.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the configuration information further includes information identifying dates and times that the motion detection device is to be enabled.

19. The method of claim 13, and further comprising:

automatically identifying an object appearing in the captured image; and

automatically determining whether to transmit the captured image based on the identified object.

20. A portable low-power motion detection device, comprising:

an image sensor configured to generate image data and detect motion based on the generated image data;

a cellular telephone transmitter for transmitting cellular telephone communications; and

wherein the motion detection device is configured to automatically transmit a captured digital image via the transmitter to a predetermined cellular telephone destination upon detection of motion.