System for Providing Camera Views

• US 20110128349A1
• Filed: 11/30/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vecna Robotics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Daniel Theobald
• Inventors: Theobald, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,446,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A camera system having at least one self-contained, universally mountable camera module having a housing and a plurality of cameras disposed within the confines of the housing, each camera having a predetermined field of view to the exterior of the housing that when combined provide at least a 180 degree view about the housing. The system also includes communication elements within the housing to provide electrical communication between the plurality of cameras and a position external to the module and at least one receiver that receives the camera views from the module that is operable by a user to view one or more camera views at a time as individual views as well as a composite view of at least two or more camera views.

Claims

1. A camera system, comprising:

at least one self-contained, universally mountable camera module having a housing and a plurality of cameras disposed within the confines of the housing, each camera having a predetermined field of view to the exterior of the housing that when combined provide at least a 180 degree view about the housing;

communication elements within the housing to provide electrical communication between the plurality of cameras and a position external to the module; and

at least one receiver that receives the camera views from the module that is operable by a user to view one or more camera views at a time as individual views as well as a composite view of at least two or more camera views.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the composite views are produced within the confines of the housing and a single composite data stream is received by the receiver.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the object is a head mounted display.

4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical communication is a wireless type of electrical communication.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the module is mounted to at least one of a robot or other type of unmanned vehicle or craft.

6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the external position is external to both the module and any object the module may be mounted.

7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein viewing of the camera views can take place in more than one location with one or more receivers.

8. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein different camera views are assigned to be viewed by different operators or users where the users are in communication with each other to notify each other of any activity of interest within the view assigned.

9. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one module is used with a head mounted display where the wearer views at least one camera view and at least one other remote operator or user views at least one other camera view to enable the remote user to direct the attention of the wearer to a hostile or other activity outside of the view of the wearer.

10. A system for remotely manipulating a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle having a receiver and remote control capabilities for moving the vehicle by an operator from a location remote from the vehicle;

a plurality of miniature camera modules affixed to the vehicle, each module facing a different direction and having a plurality of cameras and capable of transmitting the views of each camera to a remote location;

a receiver for receiving the views of each camera and enabling them to be viewable by the operator at a remote location;

a user interface operably connected to the receiver to enable the operator to determine the views to be viewed by the operator; and

a transmitter for sending control signals to the vehicle from the operator.

11. A camera system, comprising:

a first vehicle designed to be operated remotely by a user, the first vehicle having at least one camera to provide a view to a remote operator;

a second vehicle for transporting the first vehicle between areas where the first vehicle is to be used; and

a connection mechanism for physically connecting the first vehicle to the second vehicle and enabling electrical communication between the first and second vehicles.

12. The camera system as defined in claim 11, wherein the camera view is communicated to a position on the second vehicle where an operator can view the camera views provided by the first vehicle.

13. The camera system as defined in claim 11, wherein the camera view is communicated to a position on the second vehicle where an operator can view the camera views provided by the first vehicle and manipulate the first vehicle from the second vehicle.

14. The camera system as defined in claim 13, wherein the operator can manipulate the first vehicle to at least connect and disconnect the first vehicle from the second vehicle.

15. The camera system as defined in claim 13, wherein the operator can manipulate the first vehicle from the second vehicle when the first vehicle is detached from the second vehicle.