Multifunction remote control system for audio and video recording, capture, transmission and playback of full motion and still images

• US 7,197,228 B1
• Filed: 08/28/1998
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: e-Watch, Inc. (Cision Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: The Telesis Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Monroe, David A., Forman, Michael A., Baker, Stephen M., Hoeffer, Randall A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier; Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/143,232
• Time in Patent Office: 3,133 Days
• Field of Search: 386/4, 386/46, 386/52, 386/55, 386/64, 386/117, 386125-126, 386 69- 70, 386/1, 386/107, 386/120, 386/104, 386/96, 386/121, 386/39, 348/144, 348/220
• US Class Current: 386/234
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

A multifunction remote controlled video recording, transmission and playback system includes a still frame generator adapted for selecting and generating still frames on the fly while a full motion video signal is being recorded, without interrupting the recording function. Audio and data signals, such as cockpit audio in an aircraft and gps and telemetry signals may also be incorporated in the recorded full motion video recording on a real time synchronized basis. The still frames are digitally enhanced, producing a full field frame from the analog video signal. Still frames can be produced in single, burst and snap modes without interrupting the full motion video recording function.

Claims

1. A multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system for recording full motion video signals comprising a series of sequential “

still”

frames, the recording/playback system comprising;

a. a recorder/player;

b. a central processing unit for controlling the recording/playback system;

c. a video signal source for providing a video signal;

d. a video signal display monitor;

e. a video signal transmission system;

f. a video signal switching system responsive to commands from the central processor unit for selectively distributing the video signal to the recorder/player, the display monitor and the transmission system, wherein a full motion video signal may be distributed to the recorder/player while simultaneously a selected still frame of the video is distributed to other components of the system, wherein a user may record, capture, transmit, view or retrieve the selected still frame without interruption of the continuous recording or playback of the full motion video signal by the recorder/player; and

g. a marking signal generator, whereby specific, selected still frames of the recorded full motion video signal may be marked, the system being adapted to select said frames by searching for the marks, for distribution of the recorded marked frames by the video switching system.

2. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 1, further comprising a digital capture system for creating a still frame on the fly as the full motion video signal is generated by the video signal source, whereby a full field still frame is produced.

3. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 1, further comprising means for capturing a selected group of sequential still frames on the fly as the full motion video signal is generated by the video signal source.

4. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 1, wherein the video signal transmission system is adapted for transmitting full motion video signals in a first mode as the full motion video signal is generated by the video signal source and in a second mode as a playback of the recorded full motion video signal from the recorder/player.

5. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 1, further including an audio signal generator for generating an audio signal which can be recorded by the recorder/player in real time synchronization with the hull motion video signal.

6. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 1, further including a data signal generator for generating a data signal which can be recorded by the recorder/player in real time synchronization with the full motion video signal.

7. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 6, wherein the data signal generator is a gps signal generator.

8. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 1, wherein the marking signal generator is operative in a plurality of modes, a first mode being manually activated by an operator and a second mode being activated by a pre-selected data signal.

9. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is a Pentium class processor.

10. A multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system for recording full motion video signals comprising a series of sequential “

still”

frames, the recording/playback system comprising;

a. a recorder/player unit;

b. a central processing unit for controlling the recording/playback system;

c. a video signal source for providing a video signal;

d. a video signal transmission system;

e. a video signal display monitor;

f. a video signal switching system responsive to commands from the central processor unit for selectively distributing the video signal to the recorder/player, the display monitor and the transmission system, wherein a full motion video signal may be distributed to the recorder/player unit while simultaneously a selected still frame of the video signal is distributed to other components of the system, wherein a user may record, capture, transmit, view or retrieve the selected still frame without interruption of the continuous recording or playback of the full motion video signal by the recorder/player unit;

g. an audio signal source for providing an audio signal to the central processing unit for recording on the recorder/player unit; and

h. a marking signal generator, whereby specific, selected still frames of the recorded full motion video signal may be marked, the system being adapted to select said frames by searching for the marks, for distribution of the recorded marked frames by the video switching system.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the audio signal source comprises an aircraft interphone.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising a data signal source for providing a data signal to the central processing unit for recording on the recorder/player unit.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the data signal source comprises a GPS receiver.

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising an encryption unit for encrypting at least one signal.

15. A multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system for recording full motion video signals comprising a series of sequential “

still”

frames, the recording/playback system comprising;

a. a recorder/player;

b. a central processing unit for controlling the recording/playback system;

c. one or more video signal sources for providing a video signal;

d. a video signal display monitor;

e. a video signal transmission system;

f. a video signal switching system responsive to commands from the central processor unit for selectively distributing the video signal to the recorder/player, the display monitor and the transmission system;

said video switching system comprising a first switching means for switching between a first position and a second position, wherein at said first position said first switching means provides for simultaneous distribution of said video signal to said recorder/player, said processing unit, and said display monitor such that a full motion video signal may be recorded by said recorder/player while one or more selected still frames of said video signal are generated to produce one or more full field still frames;

said first position of said first switching means allowing each still frame to be stored by a memory coupled to said processing unit such that still frame images may be recorded, captured, transmitted, viewed or retrieved therefrom without interruption of the continuous recording or playback function of the full motion video signal by the recorder/player.

16. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 15, wherein at said second position said first switching means allows playback of recorded full motion video signal from said recorder/player or display of said full field still frames from said memory upon the display monitor.

17. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 15, further comprising a remote control unit coupled to said processing unit for manual control of said system.

18. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 15, further comprising a data signal generator for generating one or more data signals for recording upon said recorder/player, displaying upon said display monitor, or transmission upon said transmission system in real time synchronization with said full motion video signal.

19. The multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system of claim 15, wherein said video signal switching system further comprises a second switching means for switching between a plurality of said video signal sources.