Self-contained camera device and method for capturing and communicating images via a modem

• US 6,573,938 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1998
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schulz, Gary, Wyckoff, Jan-Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHIPKEY, JASON T
• Application Number:
  US09/103,408
• Time in Patent Office: 1,805 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5225, 358/906, 348/231.7, 348/373, 348/14.02, 348/231.8, 348/231.9
• US Class Current: 348/373
• 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 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 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A self-contained camera device (10) and method for capturing and communicating images via a modem (13). The self-contained camera device (10) comprises an image capturing device (15) and a chassis (11) for receiving a storage module or a modem (13). A removable modem (13) is mountable on the chassis (11) and couplable to the image capturing device (15). The removable modem (13) is replaceable with the storage module.

Claims

1. A self-contained camera device for capturing and communicating images via a modem comprising:

an image capturing device;

a chassis for receiving a storage module or a modem; and

a removable modem, mountable on the chassis and couplable to the image capturing device, wherein the modem is replaceable with the storage module; and

wherein the self-contained camera device is a camcorder, which further comprises a removable tape drive transport module.

2. The self-contained camera device according to claim 1 wherein the wireless communication device is a wireless radio frequency modem.

3. The self-contained camera device according to claim 1 wherein the modem is a wireline modem.

4. A self-contained camera device for capturing and communicating images via a modem comprising:

an image capturing device;

a chassis for receiving a storage module or a modem; and

a removable modem, mountable on the chassis and couplable to the image capturing device, wherein the modem is replaceable with the storage module; and

wherein the chassis has a cavity for receiving the storage module or the modem, where the cavity is adapted to receive a magnetic tape.

5. The self-contained camera device according to claim 4 wherein the cavity includes a magnetic head coupled to the image capturing device and the removable modem comprises a magnetic transducer removably coupled to the magnetic head.

6. A self-contained camera device for capturing and communicating images via a modem comprising:

an image capturing device;

a chassis for receiving a storage module or a modem; and

a removable modem, mountable on the chassis and couplable to the image capturing device, wherein the modem is replaceable with the storage module;

wherein the chassis has a cavity for receiving the storage module or the modem; and

wherein the removable modem comprises

a magnetic transducer selectively couplable with a magnetic head within the cavity,

a demodulator coupled to the magnetic transducer,

a format conversion block coupled to the demodulator,

a logic and control application specific integrated circuit coupled to the format conversion block, and

a network interface coupled to the logic and control application specific integrated circuit.

7. The self-contained camera device according to claim 6 wherein the network interface is a radio network interface, and further comprising an antenna coupled to the radio network interface.

8. The self-contained camera device according to claim 6 wherein the network interface is a wireline network interface.

9. A housing for capturing and communicating images on a self-contained camera device via a modem comprising:

a magnetic transducer for picking up a magnetic signal generated by a magnetic head of a host device;

a demodulator for demodulating the magnetic signal picked up by the magnetic transducer to produce a video baseband signal;

a format conversion block for formatting the video baseband signal;

a logic and control application specific integrated circuit for packetizing the video baseband signal; and

a network interface for communicating the video baseband signal to a destination device.

10. The housing according to claim 9 wherein the housing has a same shape and size as a magnetic cassette tape.

11. The housing according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic transducer comes in contact with the magnetic head of the host device to establish connectivity.

12. The housing according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic transducer is within close proximity to the magnetic head of the host device to establish connectivity.

13. A self-contained camera kit of parts comprising:

a housing having image capturing capabilities and a chassis;

a removable tape drive transport module; and

a removable modem, wherein the removable tape drive transport module and the removable modem are alternatively mountable on the chassis.

14. A method of capturing and communicating images on a self-contained camera device via a modem comprising:

entering a record mode;

activating a magnetic head of a host device;

utilizing a magnetic transducer to pick up a magnetic signal generated by the magnetic head of the host device;

demodulating the magnetic signal picked up by the magnetic transducer to produce a video baseband signal;

formatting and packetizing the video baseband signal; and

communicating the video baseband signal through a network interface.