Wireless Network Camera Systems

• US 20110134243A1
• Filed: 02/08/2011
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MicroPower Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Siann, Jon, Espey, Dennis James
• Granted Patent: US 8,121,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• 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 capable of generating a video signal and comprising:

a first radio configured to transmit said video signal to a base station over a wireless channel; and

a second radio configured to operate in a polling mode that reduces an average energy consumption of said wireless camera, and configured to receive a request message from said base station;

wherein said base station reserves said wireless channel by transmitting on said wireless channel;

wherein said first radio transmits at least a portion of said video signal to said base station at a known time in response to receiving said request message, and remains in a power down state until said base station reserves said wireless channel; and

wherein said wireless camera is powered at least in part by an environmental energy source.

2. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein said environmental energy source is a solar cell.

3. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein said base station is configured to process said video signal into a processed video signal, and wherein said base station includes a web server to transmit said processed video signal to a client.

4. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein said first radio transmits using a spread spectrum modulation scheme.

5. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein said wireless camera includes an internal battery, said internal battery being configured to be recharged by said environmental energy source.

6. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein a network connects said base station to a client.

7. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein said first radio implements the physical layer of the 802.11 standard.

8. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein a radio section of said second radio cycles from active to standby while in said polling mode.

9. The wireless camera of claim 1, wherein said first radio transmits using orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM).

10. A method for providing a video signal comprising the steps of:

generating said video signal using a wireless camera, said wireless camera having a first radio and a second radio, and said wireless camera being powered at least in part by an environmental energy source;

polling by using said second radio in a polling mode that reduces an average energy consumption of said wireless camera;

receiving a request message from a base station with said second radio, said request message indicating said base station has reserved a wireless channel by transmitting on said wireless channel;

maintaining said first radio in a power down state until receiving said request message; and

transmitting at least a portion of said video signal to said base station on said wireless channel at a known time using said first radio in response to receiving said request message.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

transmitting at least a segment of said video signal to a web server from said base station;

wherein said web server provides said segment of said video signal for remote viewing.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said environmental energy source is a solar cell.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said first radio transmits using a spread spectrum modulation scheme.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said wireless camera includes an internal battery, said internal battery being configured to be recharged by said environmental energy source.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said base station is configured to process said video signal into a processed video signal, and wherein said base station includes a web server to transmit said processed video signal to a client.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein a network connects said base station to a client.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said first radio implements the physical layer of the 802.11 standard.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein a radio section of said second radio cycles from active to standby while in said polling mode.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein said first radio transmits using orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM).

20. A system for providing a video signal for remote viewing comprising:

a wireless camera configured to generate a video signal, transmit said video signal on a wireless channel using a first radio, and operate a second radio in a polling mode that reduces an average energy consumption of said wireless camera; and

a base station configured to reserve said wireless channel by transmitting on said wireless channel, said base station being configured to transmit a request message to said wireless camera when said wireless channel has been reserved;

wherein said wireless camera is powered at least in part by an environmental energy source; and

wherein said wireless camera transmits at least a portion of said video signal on said wireless channel to said base station in response to receiving said request message.