Self-contained wireless camera device, wireless camera system and method

• US 6,522,352 B1
• Filed: 06/22/1998
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wyckoff, Jan-Michael, Strandwitz, Peter, Schulz, Gary D., Kniskern, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/102,457
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5225, 348/207, 348/211, 348/212, 348/213, 348/231, 348/234, 348/232, 348/233, 348/222, 348/384, 348/552, 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.4, 348/211.5, 348/211.6, 348/333.01, 348/333.02, 348/333.12, 455/556, 455/557
• US Class Current: 348/211.2
• 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 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33364 Type of modulation; Type of channel, e.g. digital or analog; Type of communication, e.g. half-duplex or full-duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation 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 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 for more than one processing mode

Abstract

A self-contained wireless camera (10) and a wireless camera system (25) having such a device and a base station (20). Video processing (e.g. video compression) circuitry (200, 210) of the camera device receives video signals from a camera (130) and provides processed video signals. These are transmitted over a shared radio channel. A radio receiver (101) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals from the base station or another camera device. Images from the camera or the base station are displayed in a selected manner on a display or monitor (140). The base station device (20) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals, stores them and retransmits them. A command signal is received by the radio receiver to modify operation in such a manner as to control bandwidth usage. Wireless camera devices can adjust their operation to accommodate other wireless camera devices. Different transport protocol modules 230 and 240 can be selected according to the application that the user selects for operation.

Claims

1. A self-contained wireless camera device for communication with a base station device from which compressed video signals from the base station are transmitted to the wireless camera device, the wireless camera device comprising:

a camera;

video compression circuitry coupled to the camera, receiving video signals from the camera and providing selectively compressed video signals from the camera, compressed according to a selected protocol scheme;

selection logic coupled to the video compression circuitry to control selection of a protocol scheme;

a radio transmitter coupled to the video compression circuitry for transmission of the compressed video signals from the camera;

control circuitry, generating control commands, the control circuitry being coupled to the radio transmitter whereby the radio transmitter transmits the control commands to the base station device for control of transmission of compressed video signals from the base station;

a radio receiver for receipt of the compressed video signals from the base station;

video decompression circuitry coupled to the radio receiver, receiving the compressed video signals from the base station and providing decompressed video signals; and

a display selectively coupled to the camera and the video decompression circuitry, selectively displaying images from the camera and images represented by the decompressed video signals.

2. The wireless camera device of claim 1, wherein the control commands include:

a video replay command;

a rewind command; and

a fast forward command.

3. The wireless camera device of claim 1, wherein the control commands include a video quality command.

4. The wireless camera device of claim 1, wherein the control commands include a bandwidth control command.

5. A wireless camera system comprising:

a self-contained wireless camera device comprising;

a camera;

video compression circuitry coupled to the camera, receiving video signals from the camera and providing compressed video signals from the camera;

a radio transmitter coupled to the video compression circuitry for transmission of the compressed video signals from the camera;

control command generation circuitry, coupled to the radio transmitter, generating control commands to be sent to a base station device for control of transmission of compressed video signals from the base station;

a radio receiver for receipt of compressed video signals from the base station;

video decompression circuitry coupled to the radio receiver, receiving the compressed video signals from the base station and providing decompressed video signals; and

a display selectively coupled to the camera and the video decompression circuitry, selectively displaying images from the camera and images represented by the decompressed video signals

and a base station device comprising;

a radio receiver receiving the compressed video signals from the camera;

a storage device for storing signals derived from the compressed video signals from the camera;

a transmitter coupled to the storage device for retransmitting the compressed video signals from the camera as compressed second video signals; and

control command signal receive circuitry responsive to the control commands from the camera device to control retrieval of the signals derived from the compressed video signals stored in the storage device and retransmission of the compressed second video signals.

6. The wireless camera system of claim 5 wherein the control commands include:

a video replay command;

a rewind command; and

a fast forward command.

7. The wireless camera system of claim 5, wherein the base station device has transport circuitry operable to deliver video signals derived from the compressed video signals from the camera as internet protocol packets at an output port.

8. A wireless camera system comprising:

a first wireless camera device comprising;

a camera;

video compression circuitry coupled to the camera, receiving video signals from the camera and providing compressed video signals from the camera;

a radio transmitter coupled to the video compression circuitry for transmission of the compressed video signals from the camera;

a radio receiver for receipt of command signals, wherein the video compression circuitry is responsive to receipt of a first control command by the radio receiver to modify operation of the video compression circuitry;

and a base station device comprising;

a user selection input;

control circuitry coupled to the user selection input, the control circuitry for receiving a second control command from the user selection input seeking service for a second wireless camera device; and

a transmitter, coupled to the control circuitry, for transmitting to the first wireless camera device the first control command, thereby causing the first wireless camera device to adjust its operation to accommodate the second wireless camera device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the base station device comprises a radio receiver and the control circuitry is coupled to the radio receiver to receive the second control command from the second wireless camera device.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the first wireless camera device and the second wireless camera device share use of a common radio channel.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the video compression circuitry of the first wireless camera device is responsive to receipt of the first control command to modify operation of the video compression circuitry to decrease bandwidth of the compressed first video signals.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the video compression circuitry of the first wireless camera device is responsive to receipt of the first control command to decrease frame rate.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the video compression circuitry of the first wireless camera device is responsive to receipt of the first control command to decrease resolution.

14. A method of operation of a self-contained wireless camera device comprising:

receiving video signals from a camera;

selecting a compression protocol scheme;

providing compressed first video signals processed according to the selected compression protocol scheme;

transmitting the compressed first video signals over a shared radio channel;

generating control commands and transmitting the control commands to a base station device for control of transmission of compressed second video signals;

receiving compressed second video signals from the shared radio channel and providing decompressed video signals; and

selectively displaying images from the camera and images represented by the decompressed video signals.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the control commands include:

a video replay command;

a rewind command; and

a fast forward command.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the control commands include a video quality command.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the control commands include a bandwidth control command.

18. A method of operation of a wireless camera system having a self-contained wireless camera device and a base station device, the method comprising, at the wireless camera device:

receiving video signals from a camera and providing compressed first video signals;

transmitting the compressed first video signals over a shared radio channel;

generating control commands and sending the control commands to the base station device;

receiving compressed second video signals at a radio receiver;

decompressing the compressed second video signals and providing decompressed second video signals; and

selectively displaying images from the camera and images represented by the decompressed second video signals

and at the base station device;

receiving the compressed first video signals from the radio channel;

receiving the control commands;

controlling retrieval of signals derived from the compressed first video signals in response to the control commands;

storing signals derived from the compressed first video signals; and

retransmitting the compressed first video signals as compressed second video signals.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the control commands include:

a video replay command;

a rewind command; and

a fast forward command.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising delivering video signals derived from the compressed video signals from the camera as internet protocol packets at an output port.

21. A method of operation of a wireless camera system having a first wireless camera device and a base station device, comprising, at the first wireless camera device:

processing video signals from a camera to provide compressed first video signals;

transmitting the compressed first video signals;

receiving control commands;

modifying the processing of the video signals in response to a first control command received,

and at the base station device;

receiving a second control command, in response to a user selection input, seeking service for a second wireless camera device; and

transmitting to the first wireless camera device the first control command, thereby causing the first wireless camera device to adjust its operation to accommodate the second wireless camera device.

22. A method of claim 21, wherein receiving includes receipt of the second control command from the second wireless camera device.

23. A method of claim 21, wherein the first wireless camera device and the second wireless camera device share use of a common radio channel.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the first wireless camera device is responsive to receipt of the first control command to decrease bandwidth of the compressed first video signals.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the first wireless camera device is responsive to receipt of the first control command to decrease frame rate.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the first wireless camera device is responsive to receipt of the first control command to decrease resolution.