CAMERAS, CAMERA APPARATUSES, AND METHODS OF USING SAME

• US 20120140085A1
• Filed: 06/09/2010
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory David Gallinat, Linda Rheinstein
• Original Assignee: Gregory David Gallinat, Linda Rheinstein
• Inventors: Rheinstein, Linda, Gallinat, Gregory David
• Application Number:
  US13/377,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20120140085A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• 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 23/66 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• 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 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

The present specification provides hands-free, mobile, real-time video cameras that overcome the shortcomings of previous designs. Cameras described in the present specification may be light-weight and small enough to be mounted anywhere, especially on a user'"'"'s body. Cameras described in the present specification may be also cost-effective and rugged enough for use during very strenuous and/or high contact activities. Yet, even with a very small and durable form-factor, cameras described in the present specification offer full-motion, enhanced, and/or high-definition video capture over an extended period of time. The combination of diminutive size, low-power consumption, and high resolution has been heretofore unavailable in the art. Moreover, cameras described in the present specification may be seamlessly compatible with various software applications and platform independent.

Claims

1. A video camera comprising a sensor module adapted to output 720p, 1080p, or 1080i resolution video, a processing module adapted to process at least 8 bit raw RGB data, a communication module adapted to wirelessly transmit in compliance with at least one IEEE 802.11 standard, a power supply adapted to power the video camera for at least about one hour, a mount removeably attachable to a user or an object, an optional microphone, and at least one optional remote interface.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises at least one lens, a waveguide, an optical and/or mechanical image stabilizer, or a protective cover.

3. The camera of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) active-pixel sensor.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises an optical, electrical, or mechanical image stabilizer.

5. The camera of claim 1, wherein the processing module comprises integrated or removable image storage.

6. The camera of claim 1, wherein the processing module comprises integrated or removable image storage or memory.

7. The camera of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises solar energy or kinetic energy power generator.

8. The camera of claim 1, comprising a light sensitive on/off switch comprising at least one pixel that is always held within an operational voltage range.

9. The camera of claim 1, wherein the remote interface is a mobile telephone, whereby the camera is controllable and viewable remotely.

10. The camera of claim 1, wherein the sensor module is about 7 mm by 7 mm by 6 mm in the x, y, and z dimensions respectively;

the image processing module is about 20 mm by 20 mm in size; and

the communication module is about 20 mm by 30 mm in size.

11. The camera of claim 1 adapted for use during very strenuous or high contact activities.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote interface is a mobile telephone, whereby the camera is controllable and viewable remotely.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein multiple cameras are controllable by a single remote interfaces or a single camera is controllable by multiple remote interfaces.

12. A method of providing high definition video from a camera comprising the step of:

providing at least one video camera comprising a sensor module adapted to output 720p, 1080p, or 1080i resolution video, a processing module adapted to process at least 8 bit raw RGB data, a communication module adapted to wirelessly transmit in compliance with at least one IEEE 802.11 standard, a power supply adapted to power the video camera for at least about one hour, a mount removeably attachable to a user or an object, an optional microphone, and at least one optional remote interface.

15. A camera apparatus comprising:

at least one video camera comprising a sensor module adapted to output 720p, 1080p, or 1080i resolution video, a processing module adapted to process at least 8 bit raw RGB data, a communication module adapted to wirelessly transmit in compliance with at least one IEEE 802.11 standard, a power supply adapted to power the video camera for at least about one hour, a mount removeably attachable to a user or an object, an optional microphone, and an optional remote interface;

markers that are adapted to enhance video processing by the video camera; and

an optional external interface adapted to process video data from the video camera.

16. The camera apparatus of claim 15, wherein the markers are passive or active, and static or dynamic.

17. The camera apparatus of claim 15, wherein the markers are active markers adapted to emit a signal in continuous, random, or controlled patterns, whereby the controlled pattern optionally includes information of the wearer.

18. The camera apparatus of claim 15, wherein the markers are dynamic markers adapted to be imaged to increase accuracy of field location alignment for re-construction of an entire scene.

19. The camera apparatus of claim 15 comprising two video cameras adapted for 3-D image capture and display.

20. The camera apparatus of claim 15 comprising two cameras adapted to process parallax removal, whereby the depth of a resulting 3-D field is increased.