GPS enhanced camera for transmitting real-time trail data over a satellite/cellular communication channel

• US 7,623,155 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher R. Kelliher
• Original Assignee: Christopher R. Kelliher
• Inventors: Kelliher, Christopher R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Nhan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhan, Ahmed A
• Application Number:
  US10/956,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,882 Days
• Field of Search: 348/376, 348/373, 348/207.99, 348/371, 348/211.99, 348/211.11, 348/211.13, 348/333.11, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/374, 348/114
• US Class Current: 348/211.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/08 Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band , e.g. by time division H04N7/007 takes precedence

Abstract

A camera includes a central processing unit (CPU), an optional hand-operable controller and a mobile housing including a base and a cover pivotally connected thereto. The housing further includes a mechanism for capturing trail images that is disposed within the housing base and a keypad for identifying access codes and instructions by which a user can operate the capturing mechanism. An internal power source and a display panel is positioned at the housing base adjacent to the keypad. The camera system further includes a wireless communication link and a mechanism for wirelessly sending the trail images in real-time to the controller. An antenna facilitates transmission of the trail images over the communication link.

Claims

1. A camera system for capturing and transmitting real-time trail data over a wireless communication system, said camera comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU) having control logic for generating output signals based upon corresponding user input signals;

a hand-operable controller for allowing a user to remotely transmit said input signals to said CPU;

a housing comprising

a base and a cover pivotally connected thereto and selectively movable between open and closed positions corresponding to operating and non-operating position respectively,

means for capturing and monitoring game trail images over an extended period of time, said capturing means being disposed within said housing base, said hand-operable controller comprising means for automatically toggling said capturing means between operable and non-operable modes based upon said output signals received from said CPU so that a user can visualize activity occurring at a remote location over an extended period of time,

a keypad for identifying access codes and instructions by which a user can directly operate said capturing means, and

an internal power source electrically coupled to said housing;

a wireless communication link for transmitting said input signals between remote locations; and

means for wirelessly sending the trail images in real-time to said hand-operable controller based upon said input and output signals respectively, said sending means comprising an antenna for facilitating transmission of the trail images over said communication link;

wherein said CPU receives user-defined triggering information and thereby sets said capturing means to a triggering mode, said triggering information being set at a sensitivity level and a time frame;

wherein said CPU comprises a plurality of infra-red sensors that detect a plurality of operating parameters including at least one operating parameter including;

motion, temperature, light, barometric pressure, and internal power source fluctuations;

wherein said CPU monitors said operating parameters in a sleep mode until at least one of said infra-red sensors is tripped;

if a triggered interruption does not last for said time frame, said CPU returns to said sleep mode for conserving battery consumption;

if said triggered interruption lasts for said timeframe, said CPU wakes up said capturing means and thereby causes said capturing means to automatically capture an image of a triggered interrupter associated with said triggered interruption.

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein said housing base and said housing cover are provided with engageable outer edge portions, said housing further comprising a plurality of hasps extending outwardly from said outer edge portions, one pair of said hasps for receiving a fastening member therethrough and maintaining said housing at a closed position, said housing further comprising a plurality of flexible straps extending along a width of said housing cover and having opposed end portions secured to said housing and removably attachable to other ones of said hasps respectively, said straps for assisting to maintain said housing at an elevated position during operating conditions.

3. The camera system of claim 1, wherein said capturing means comprises:

a digital camera including a protective cover oppositely attached to said housing cover so that said camera cover can mate with said camera when said housing is adapted to a closed position.

4. The camera system of claim 1, wherein said controller comprises:

a cellular telephone.

5. The camera system of claim 1, wherein said communication link comprises:

a GPS satellite network.

6. The camera system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors operably connected to said housing for providing real-time temperature data and barometric pressure data for a predetermined area surrounding said housing.

7. a camera system for capturing and transmitting real-time trail data over a wireless communication system, said camera comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU) having control logic for generating output signals based upon corresponding user input signals;

a hand-operable controller for allowing a user to remotely transmit said input signals to said CPU;

a mobile housing comprising

a base and a cover pivotally connected thereto and selectively movable between open and closed positions corresponding to operating and non-operating position respectively,

means for capturing and monitoring game trail images over an extended period of time, said capturing means being disposed within said housing base, said hand-operable controller comprising means for automatically toggling said capturing means between operable and non-operable modes based upon said output signals received from said CPU so that a user can visualize activity occurring at a remote location over an extended period of time,

a keypad for identifying access codes and instructions by which a user can directly operate said capturing means,

an internal power source electrically coupled to said housing, and

a display panel for visually identifying the real-time data recorded by said capturing means;

a wireless communication link for transmitting said input signals between remote locations; and

means for wirelessly sending the trail images in real-time to said hand-operable controller based upon said input and output signals respectively, said sending means comprising an antenna for facilitating transmission of the trail images over said communication link;

wherein said CPU receives user-defined triggering information and thereby sets said capturing means to a triggering mode, said triggering information being set at a sensitivity level and a time frame;

wherein said CPU comprises a plurality of infra-red sensors that detect a plurality of operating parameters including at least one operating parameter including;

motion, temperature, light, barometric pressure, and internal power source fluctuations;

wherein said CPU monitors said operating parameters in a sleep mode until at least one of said infra-red sensors is tripped;

if a triggered interruption does not last for said time frame, said CPU returns to said sleep mode for conserving battery consumption;

if said triggered interruption lasts for said timeframe, said CPU wakes up said capturing means and thereby causes said capturing means to automatically capture an image of a triggered interrupter associated with said triggered interruption;

wherein once said image is captured, said sending means wirelessly transmits said image and said at least one operating parameter to said controller;

wherein said capturing means and said CPU are thereafter reset to said sleep mode.

8. The camera system of claim 7, wherein said housing base and said housing cover are provided with engageable outer edge portions, said housing further comprising a plurality of hasps extending outwardly from said outer edge portions, one pair of said hasps for receiving a fastening member therethrough and maintaining said housing at a closed position, said housing further comprising a plurality of flexible straps extending along a width of said housing cover and having opposed end portions secured to said housing and removably attachable to other ones of said hasps respectively, said straps for assisting to maintain said housing at an elevated position during operating conditions.

9. The camera system of claim 7, wherein said capturing means comprises:

a digital camera including a protective cover oppositely attached to said housing cover so that said camera cover can mate with said camera when said housing is adapted to a closed position.

10. The camera system of claim 7, wherein said controller comprises:

a cellular telephone.

11. The camera system of claim 7, wherein said communication link comprises:

a GPS satellite network.

12. The camera system of claim 7, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors operably connected to said housing for providing real-time temperature data and barometric pressure data for a predetermined area surrounding said housing.

13. camera system for capturing and transmitting real-time trail data over a wireless communication system, said camera comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU) having control logic for generating output signals based upon corresponding user input signals;

a hand-operable controller for allowing a user to remotely transmit said input signals to said CPU;

a mobile housing comprising

a base and a cover pivotally connected thereto and selectively movable between open and closed positions corresponding to operating and non-operating position respectively,

means for capturing and monitoring game trail images over an extended period of time, said capturing means being disposed within said housing base, said hand-operable controller comprising means for automatically toggling said capturing means between operable and non-operable modes based upon said output signals received from said CPU so that a user can visualize activity occurring at a remote location over an extended period of time,

a keypad for identifying access codes and instructions by which a user can directly operate said capturing means,

an internal power source electrically coupled to said housing, and

a display panel positioned at said housing base and adjacent said keypad for visually identifying the real-time data recorded by said capturing means;

a wireless communication link for transmitting said input signals between remote locations; and

means for wirelessly sending the trail images in real-time to said hand-operable controller based upon said input and output signals respectively, said sending means comprising an antenna for facilitating transmission of the trail images over said communication link;

wherein said housing base and said housing cover are provided with engageable outer edge portions, said housing further comprising a plurality of hasps extending outwardly from said outer edge portions, said housing further comprising a plurality of flexible straps extending along a width of said housing cover and having a plurality of fastening members directly attached to one end thereof respectively, said fastening members being removably attached to one pair of said hasps and maintaining said housing at a closed position, said straps for assisting to maintain said housing at an elevated position during operating conditions, wherein said fastening members are hooked shaped and have a top end terminating above a top surface of said housing such that said straps remain spaced from said housing during operating conditions;

wherein said one pair of hasps are equidistantly spaced apart from a center of a first one of said outer edge portions, a second pair of said hasps being medially positioned between said one pair of hasps when said outer edge portions are directly engaged at the closed position, a first hasp of said second pair of hasps being aligned along said first outer edge portion while a second hasp of said second pair of hasps is directly mated to a second one of said outer edge portions;

wherein said straps and said fastening members remain spaced from said second pair of hasps while said outer edge portions are biased between an open position and the closed position respectively;

wherein said fastening members remain engaged with said one pair of hasps while said outer edge portions are biased between the open position and the closed position respectively.

14. The camera system of claim 13, wherein said capturing means comprises:

a digital camera including a protective cover oppositely attached to said housing cover so that said camera cover can mate with said camera when said housing is adapted to a closed position.

15. The camera system of claim 13, wherein said controller comprises:

a cellular telephone.

16. The camera system of claim 13, wherein said communication link comprises:

a GPS satellite network.

17. The camera system of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors operably connected to said housing for providing real-time temperature data and barometric pressure data for a predetermined area surrounding said housing.