Low attention recording unit for use by vigorously active recorder

• US 6,563,532 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vulcan Patents LLC
• Original Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Kimberly H., Cohen, Jonathan R., Reed, David P., Aiello, G. Roberto, Strub, Henry B., Burgess, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US09/557,169
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/158, 348/159, 348/373, 348/376
• US Class Current: 348/158
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/216 Rewritable discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/3027 used signal is digitally coded

Abstract

The invention enables “low attention recording,” i.e., recording that need not appreciably affect interaction of a recorder (i.e., a person in control of a recording unit according to the invention) or others with the environment in which the recording is taking place. The low attention recording enabled by the invention can be particularly advantageously employed in “social recording,” i.e., recording in which multiple participants in an event are recording the event. As described in more detail below, advantageous aspects of the invention can be provided by a small, lightweight, wearable recording unit. In particular, a recording unit according to the invention is particularly adapted to enable use of the recording unit to record an event during which the recorder engages in vigorous physical activity (e.g., an athletic activity, such as hiking, snow skiing or ping pong). The recording unit is constructed with a particular emphasis on the wearability characteristics of the recording unit, in order to facilitate freedom of movement by the recorder and minimize distraction to, or encumbrance of, the recorder'"'"'s participation in the activity.

Claims

1. A wearable recording unit for use by a recorder in recording an event, comprising:

a visual data acquisition device for obtaining visual recording data representing the content of the event;

a data storage and system control unit, the data storage and system control unit operably connected to the visual data acquisition device to enable visual recording data to be transmitted to, and stored on, the data storage and system control unit;

a control interface unit, the control interface unit operably connected to other components of the recording unit to enable the recorder to control operation of the recording unit; and

a harness for mounting one or more of the visual data acquisition device, the data storage and system control unit and the control interface unit, the harness comprising;

a waist strap for releasably securing the harness about the waist of the recorder; and

a shoulder strap fitting about a shoulder of the recorder.

2. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the waist strap further comprises means for adjusting the tightness of the waist strap about the waist of the recorder.

3. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap further comprises means for adjusting the tightness of the shoulder strap about the shoulder of the recorder.

4. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the harness further comprises:

a second shoulder strap, each of the first and second shoulder straps having first and second opposing ends attached to the waist strap and fitting about a corresponding shoulder of the recorder; and

a sternum strap, the sternum strap having first and second opposing ends attached to the first and second shoulder straps so that the sternum strap extends therebetween.

5. A wearable recording unit as in claim 4, wherein the sternum strap further comprises means for adjusting the length of the sternum strap between the first and second shoulder straps.

6. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein a section of the waist strap adjacent to the back of the recorder has a width that is greater than other sections of the waist strap.

7. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein a section of the waist strap adjacent to the back of the recorder is padded relative to other sections of the waist strap.

8. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising means for mounting the visual data acquisition device on a strap of the harness.

9. A wearable recording unit as in claim 8, wherein the means for mounting further comprises:

means for engaging the means for mounting with the strap;

means for disengaging the means for mounting from engagement with the strap so that the means for mounting can move with respect to the strap; and

guiding means that constrain the means for mounting to movement along the strap when the means for disengaging is operated to allow relative movement between the means for mounting and the strap.

10. A wearable recording unit as in claim 9, wherein the means for mounting the visual data acquisition device further comprises means for varying the filming orientation of the visual data acquisition device.

11. A wearable recording unit as in claim 10, wherein the means for varying filming orientation further comprises a single control mechanism adapted to enable simultaneous changes in filming direction about multiple axes.

12. A wearable recording unit as in claim 8, wherein the means for mounting further comprises means for detachably attaching the visual data acquisition device to the strap.

13. A wearable recording unit as in claim 8, wherein the means for mounting further comprises means for mounting the visual data acquisition device on the shoulder strap of the harness.

14. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising means for mounting the visual data acquisition device on or near the recorder'"'"'s head.

15. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising an audio data acquisition device for obtaining audio recording data representing the content of the event.

16. A wearable recording unit as in claim 15, further comprising means for mounting the audio data acquisition device on a strap of the harness.

17. A wearable recording unit as in claim 16, wherein the means for mounting further comprises:

means for engaging the means for mounting with the strap;

means for disengaging the means for mounting from engagement with the strap so that the means for mounting can move with respect to the strap; and

guiding means that constrain the means for mounting to movement along the strap when the means for disengaging is operated to allow relative movement between the means for mounting and the strap.

18. A wearable recording unit as in claim 16, wherein the harness further comprises a second shoulder strap, each of the first and second shoulder straps having first and second opposing ends attached to the waist strap and fitting about a corresponding shoulder of the recorder, the recording unit further comprising first and second audio data acquisition devices mounted on the first and second shoulder straps, respectively.

19. A wearable recording unit as in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of audio data acquisition devices for obtaining audio recording data representing the content of the event.

20. A wearable recording unit as in claim 19, wherein the plurality of audio data acquisition devices further comprise a plurality of directional microphones mounted proximate to the recorder'"'"'s shoulders.

21. A wearable recording unit as in claim 19, wherein the plurality of audio data acquisition devices further comprise a plurality of omni-directional microphones mounted on the recorder'"'"'s chest.

22. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising means for mounting the data storage and system control unit on a strap of the harness.

23. A wearable recording unit as in claim 22, wherein the means for mounting further comprises means for mounting the data storage and system control unit on the waist strap.

24. A wearable recording unit as in claim 23, wherein the means for mounting is adapted to enable the means for mounting to slide along the waist strap.

25. A wearable recording unit as in claim 23, further comprising a housing within which the data storage and system control unit is positioned.

26. A wearable recording unit as in claim 25, wherein the harness further comprises first and second tensioning straps, the first tensioning strap having a first end attached to the waist strap and a second opposing end attached to a first end of the housing, the second tensioning strap having a first end attached to the waist strap and a second opposing end attached to a second end of the housing that is opposite the first end of the housing.

27. A wearable recording unit as in claim 25, wherein a pocket is formed on the housing.

28. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising wireless communication means for enabling communication among two or more components of the recording unit.

29. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising communications wiring for enabling communication among two or more components of the recording unit.

30. A wearable recording unit as in claim 29, wherein at least some of the wiring is embedded within the harness.

31. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the harness is made of a washable material.

32. A wearable recording unit as in claim 31, wherein at least some of the electronic components of the recording unit are detachably attached to the harness.

33. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising means for holding one or more objects that are not part of the recording unit.

34. A wearable recording unit as in claim 33, wherein the means for holding further comprises one or more pouches, compartments and/or pockets.

35. A wearable recording unit as in claim 34, wherein one or more pouches, compartments and/or pockets is constructed as part of the waist strap.

36. A wearable recording unit as in claim 33, wherein the means for holding is adapted to enable the means for holding to slide along a strap of the harness.

37. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein substantially all visible surfaces of the recording unit are black.

38. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the color of at least some visible surfaces of the recording unit indicates an intended use of the recording unit.

39. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the colors of at least some visible surfaces of the recording unit are chosen to complement one or more predetermined colors.

40. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising means for marking recording data acquired by the recording unit.

41. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the visual data acquisition device, the data storage and system control unit and the control interface unit are physically separate devices.

42. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, wherein the visual data acquisition device is a board camera.

43. A wearable recording unit as in claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a visual recording obtained by the recording unit.