Mobile imaging system

• US 6,717,737 B1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyle Haglund
• Original Assignee: Kyle Haglund
• Inventors: Haglund, Kyle
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US10/329,813
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 359/631, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 348/53, 348/115, 348/207.99, 348/211.99, 348/721, 356/141.3
• US Class Current: 359/631
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/06 combined with other apparatus having a different main function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A mobile imaging system (100) for capturing images of an environment surrounding a user and transmitting those images to a remotely located recording device (108) is provided. The system includes an imaging device (110) adapted to be worn by a user, receive light, and convert the received light into video signals amenable for recordation by the recording device. A communication system (104) is adapted to couple the imaging device in signal communication with the recording device and transfer the video signals therebetween. A switch (106) is coupled to the communication system, the switch adapted to control both operation of the imaging device and the recording device. The imaging device may be attached to a support member (102) adapted to be worn upon a head of a user. A visual indicator (114) may be used to communicate to a user an operating status of the recording device.

Claims

1. A mobile imaging system for capturing images and transmitting those images to a recording device, the mobile imaging system comprising;

(a) a support apparatus adapted to be worn by a user;

(b) an imaging device coupled to the support apparatus, the imaging device adapted to receive and convert light into video signals for recordation by a recording device;

(c) a communication system adapted to be in communication with the imaging device and the recording device to transfer the video signals therebetween; and

(d) a switch coupled to the communication system, the switch actuatable between first and second positions, wherein when the switch is actuated from the first position to the second position, a selected operating parameter of both the recording device and the imaging device is altered.

2. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein when the switch is in the first position, the imaging device and the recording device are both configured in a power on mode.

3. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein when the switch is in the second position, the imaging device and the recording device are both configured in a power off mode.

4. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein when the switch is in the first position, the imaging device is thereby configured in a power on mode and the recording device is thereby configured in a record mode.

5. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the switch is a push button switch.

6. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, further including a visual indicator coupled to the support apparatus and that is in signal communication with the communication system, the visual indicator adapted to visually indicate to the user a status of the selected operating parameter of the recording device.

7. The mobile imaging system of claim 6, wherein the visual indicator is adapted to emit light in a selected manner to indicate the status of the selected operating parameter of the recording device.

8. The mobile imaging system of claim 6, wherein the selected operating parameter is that the recording device is near or has reached a maximum media storage capacity limit.

9. The mobile imaging system of claim 6, wherein the selected operating parameter is that at least one of the recording device, communication system or imaging device is malfunctioning.

10. The mobile imaging system of claim 6, wherein the visual indicator is adapted to emit light in a selected manner to indicate when the recording device is recording.

11. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, further including a first microphone and a second microphone coupled to the support apparatus at a selected separation distance and coupled in signal communication with the communication system.

12. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a light source coupled to the support apparatus, the light source adapted to illuminate an environment surrounding the user.

13. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the communication system further includes an audio indicator, the audio indicator adapted to emit an audible sound to indicate a status of a selected operating parameter of the recording device, communication system, or imaging device.

14. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the switch is coupled to the support apparatus.

15. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein a majority of the imaging device is located between an outer surface of the support apparatus and a head of the user when the support apparatus is donned by the user.

16. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the support apparatus is goggles.

17. The mobile imaging system of claim 16, wherein the goggles include a substantially transparent harrier coupled to a frame, wherein at least a portion of the imaging device passes through an aperture in the substantially transparent barrier.

18. The mobile imaging system of claim 16, wherein the goggles include a substantially transparent barrier coupled to a frame thereby forming a cavity between the substantially transparent barrier, the frame, and a face of a user when the goggles are worn, wherein at least a portion of the imaging device is disposed within the cavity.

19. The mobile imaging system of claim 18, wherein a lens of the imaging device is attached to the goggles so as to be substantially flush with the substantially transparent barrier.

20. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the support apparatus is a visor.

21. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the support apparatus is a helmet.

22. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the support apparatus is a headlamp and the imaging device is located within a housing of the headlamp.

23. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, further including a portable power source coupled to the communication system.

24. The mobile imaging system of claim 23, wherein the portable power source is adaptable to provide power to the imaging device.

25. The mobile imaging system of claim 23, wherein the portable power source is adaptable to provide power to the imaging device and the recording device.

26. The mobile imaging system of claim 23, wherein the portable power source is adapted to be carried upon a holding strap of the remotely recording device.

27. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, further including a signal device coupled to the communication system, the signal device adapted, once activated, to repeatedly send a command signal to the recording device.

28. The mobile imaging system of claim 27 wherein the command signal is a command signal to configure the recording device in a record mode.

29. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is adaptable to connect to the recording device to draw power therefrom to power the imaging device.

30. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is operable to connect to a charging port of the recording device to draw power therefrom to power the imaging device.

31. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is adapted to connect and communicate through a local area network connection port of the recording device.

32. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device is located remotely of the recording device.

33. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device is adapted to be worn upon a head of the user.

34. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein when the support apparatus is worn by a user, an image axis of the imaging device passes within about two inches of an imaginary line intersecting the pupils of a user'"'"'s eyes.

35. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein when the support apparatus is worn by a user, an image axis of the imaging device passes within about one inch of an imaginary line intersecting the pupils of a user'"'"'s eyes.

36. A mobile imaging system operable to capture and transmit image data to a portable recording device, the portable recording device adapted to receive command signals regulating the operation of the portable recording device from a wireless remote control, the mobile imaging system comprising:

(a) an imaging device operable to receive light and convert the received light into a format amenable for processing by a remotely located portable recording device;

(b) a communication system adapted to couple the imaging device and the remotely located portable recording device in signal communication;

(c) a control unit operable to generate command signals operable to control the operation of the remotely located portable recording device;

(d) a cable coupled to the control unit for transmitting electrical command signals generated in the control unit through the cable; and

(e) a first converter coupled to the cable, the first converter operable to convert the command signals transmitted through the cable into a wireless command signal amenable for processing by the remotely located portable recording device.

37. The mobile imaging system of claim 36, wherein the first converter is operable to convert the electrical command signals into wireless infrared command signals for receipt by the remotely located portable recording device.

38. The mobile imaging system of claim 36, further including a second converter coupled to the cable, the second converter adaptable to convert wireless command signals emitted from the control unit into the electrical command signals for transmission through the cable to the first converter.

39. A mobile imaging system for capturing images of an environment surrounding a user of the mobile imaging system and transmitting those images to a remotely located recording device, the mobile imaging system comprising;

(a) a support member adapted to be worn by a user;

(b) an imaging device coupled to the support member, the imaging device operable to receive light and convert the received light into video signals amenable for recordation by the remotely located recording device;

(c) a communication system adapted to couple the imaging device in signal communication with the remotely located recording device and transfer the video signals therebetween; and

(d) a visual indicator coupled to the support member and in signal communication with the communication system, the visual indicator adapted to visually indicate to the user an operating status of the remotely located recording device.

40. The mobile imaging system of claim 39, wherein the visual indicator is adapted to emit light in a selected manner to indicate the operating status of the remotely located recording device.

41. The mobile imaging system of claim 39, wherein the visual indicator is adapted to emit light in a selected manner when the remotely located recording device is recording.

42. The mobile imaging system of claim 39, wherein the operating status that the remotely located recording device is near or has reached its maximum media storage capacity.

43. A mobile imaging system for capturing images of an environment surrounding a user of the mobile imaging system and transmitting those images to a remotely located recording device, the mobile imaging system comprising;

(a) an imaging device adapted to be worn by a user, receive light, and convert the received light into video signals amenable for recordation by the remotely located recording device;

(b) a communication system adapted to couple the imaging device in signal communication with the remotely located recording device and transfer the video signals therebetween; and

(c) a switch coupled to the communication system, the switch adapted to control the operation of both the imaging device and the remotely located recording device through the communication system.