MULTIDIRECTIONAL VIDEO CAPTURE ASSEMBLY

• US 20090109292A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy James Ennis
• Original Assignee: MOTOCAM 360
• Inventors: Ennis, Timothy James
• Granted Patent: US 8,692,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/158
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• 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

A multidirectional video capture assembly is provided that can include a multidirectional helmet camera with protective housing and plurality of image sensors. The image sensors may be oriented in a plurality of directions for simultaneous capture of image data. A multi channel flexible cable can emerge from said protective housing, said cable adapted to carry image signals from the image sensors to an image recording and/or image display device. The protective housing may also be equipped with a complimentary equipment cavity for inclusion of additional advantageous equipment, as may be included to suit individual circumstances.

Claims

1. A multidirectional helmet camera, comprising:

a protective housing;

a plurality of image sensors disposed within said protective housing, said image sensors oriented in a plurality of directions;

an attaching means for securing said protective housing atop a helmet; and

a multi channel flexible cable emerging from said protective housing, said cable adapted to carry image signals from said plurality of image sensors to an image recording device.

2. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein said protective housing comprises a surface that is contoured to fit atop said helmet.

3. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises an interlocking material on a surface of said protective housing, adapted for interlocking with a corresponding interlocking material on said helmet.

4. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, said cable comprising a tension quick-release.

5. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein said plurality of image sensors consists of a first image sensor oriented in a first direction, and a second image sensor oriented in an opposite direction.

6. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising a rotation mechanism for rotating said image sensors with respect to said helmet.

7. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein said plurality of image sensors consists of four image sensors, oriented north, south, east, and west.

8. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising a brake light located on a rear-facing portion of said protective housing.

9. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising left and right turn signals located on a rear-facing portion of said protective housing.

10. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising a microphone disposed within a complimentary equipment cavity in said protective housing.

11. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 10, wherein said microphone collects audio data on a plurality of audio channels.

12. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein at least one of said image sensors is adapted for sensing light in the infrared spectrum.

13. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising a vibration or alarm mechanism disposed within a complimentary equipment cavity in said protective housing, wherein said vibration or alarm mechanism is activated by face recognition software executed by said image recording device.

14. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising a laser pointer disposed within a complimentary equipment cavity in said protective housing.

15. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein at least one of said image sensors comprises a zoom apparatus.

16. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising an avalanche beacon disposed within a complimentary equipment cavity in said protective housing.

17. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) locator disposed within a complimentary equipment cavity in said protective housing.

18. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein said cable is attached to a portable video recording device.

19. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 18, wherein said image recording device comprises a plurality of video input channels and is configured to store simultaneously received video input in a split screen format.

20. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, further comprising at least one complimentary equipment cavity in said protective housing.

21. The multidirectional helmet camera of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of image sensors produces a video signal.

22. A multidirectional helmet camera, comprising:

a protective housing comprising a longitudinal housing and a transverse housing forming north, south, east and west housing portions;

an image sensor disposed within each of said north, south, east and west housing portions;

at least one complimentary equipment cavity in said protective housing;

an attaching means for securing said protective housing atop a helmet; and

a multi channel flexible cable emerging from said protective housing, said cable adapted to carry video signals from said plurality of video signal generators to a video recording device.