INTEGRATED INTERNET CAMERA SYSTEM

• US 20100091115A1
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alex is the Best LLC
• Original Assignee: Alex is the Best LLC
• Inventors: Clemente, FRANK, Feaser, Ted
• Granted Patent: US 7,907,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• 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 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

An integrated Internet camera system comprises a website archive and review center (WSARC) for storing and managing images and an Internet direct camera (IDC) for capturing an image, automatically transmitting the image to an account associated with said IDC on the WSARC upon image capture and receiving stored image from the WSARC. The IDC comprises a display for displaying the captured image and the received image. The IDC automatically connects to the WSARC over an Internet connection on power-up.

Claims

1-26. -26. (canceled)

27. An Internet direct camera (IDC) comprising a microprocessor and an optics system to capture an image, automatically transmit said captured image to an account associated with said IDC on a website archive and review center (WSARC) upon image capture, and receive stored image from said WSARC;

and wherein the IDC automatically connects to said WSARC over an Internet connection on power-up using one of a plurality of available modes of connection, which is designated as a primary mode of communication, and wherein the IDC automatically switches to another available mode of communication when the IDC detects that said primary mode of communication to said WSARC is unavailable.

28. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising a storage device for locally storing said captured image and said received image.

29. The IDC of claim 28, wherein said storage device stores said captured image only when the IDC loses said connection with said WSARC and transmits said stored image to said WSARC when the IDC re-establishes said connection with said WSARC.

30. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising an internal or rechargeable battery to power the IDC.

31. The IDC of claim 30, wherein said microprocessor alerts said WSARC or a registered user associated with the IDC when the power of said internal or rechargeable battery is below a predetermined threshold.

32. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising a motion sensor and wherein said optics system and processor captures images only when a motion is detected by said motion sensor.

33. The IDC of claim 27 is a stationary camera under the control of said WSARC.

34. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising a mounting device for mounting the IDC and operable to rotate or pivot the IDC, thereby enabling an operator to remotely control the IDC.

35. The IDC of claim 27, wherein said plurality of available modes of connection is selected from a group consisting of:

a land line, DSL, cable, satellite, wireless network, cellular, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max.

36. The IDC of claim 27, wherein said primary mode of communication can be changed to another available modes of communication by an operator of the IDC.

37. The IDC of claim 27, wherein said primary mode of communication can be changed to another available modes of communication from said WSARC by a registered user of WSARC associated with the IDC.

38. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising a SIM card associated with a registered user of said WSARC.

39. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising a web browser.

40. The IDC of claim 27 is operable to support voice over IP over said connection.

41. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising an infrared or UV sensor to record infrared or UV images.

42. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising a scope-shaped attachment to provide specialized lighting to record fine cracks and crevices in a machine or a building.

43. The IDC of claim 27, wherein said optics system further an image pickup, an optical module for forming an image on the image pickup, and an image capturing module for capturing digital images from said image pickup.

44. The IDC of claim 43, wherein said optical module comprises an auto-focus optical system.

45. The IDC of claim 27 is a portable camera.

46. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising a display for displaying said captured image and said received image.

47. The IDC of claim 46, wherein said display of said IDC comprises a touch pad for entering a command, a text or labeling images.

48. The IDC of claim 27, wherein said microprocessor is operable to connect the IDC to other IDCs over said connection.

49. The IDC of claim 48, further comprising a display for displaying images received from said other IDCs over said connection.

50. The IDC of claim 27, wherein said account is associated with a registered user of said WSARC and images in said account can be viewed by any user given privilege to view by said registered user.

51. The IDC of claim 27, wherein said account is associated with a registered user of said WSARC and wherein said captured image transmitted to said WSARC is received by one or more IDCs selected by said registered user from said WSARC.

52. The IDC of claim 27, further comprising an image compression module for compressing said captured image.