Self-contained wireless camera device, wireless camera system and method

• US 7,864,216 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Memorylink Corporation
• Inventors: Wyckoff, Jan-Michael, Strandwitz, Peter, Schulz, Gary D., Kniskern, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; Tuan V
• Application Number:
  US10/351,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,899 Days
• Field of Search: 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.4, 455/556.1, 455/557
• US Class Current: 348/211.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33364 Type of modulation; Type of channel, e.g. digital or analog; Type of communication, e.g. half-duplex or full-duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• 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 9/7921 for more than one processing mode

Abstract

A self-contained wireless camera (10) and a wireless camera system (25) having such a device and a base station (20). Video processing (e.g. video compression) circuitry (200, 210) of the camera device receives video signals from a camera (130) and provides processed video signals. These are transmitted over a shared radio channel. A radio receiver (101) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals from the base station or another camera device. Images from the camera or the base station are displayed in a selected manner on a display or monitor (140). The base station device (20) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals, stores them and retransmits them. A command signal is received by the radio receiver to modify operation in such a manner as to control bandwidth usage. Wireless camera devices can adjust their operation to accommodate other wireless camera devices. Different transport protocol modules 230 and 240 can be selected according to the application that the user selects for operation.

Claims

1. A self-contained wireless camera device comprising:

a camera;

video compression circuitry, coupled to the camera that receives video signals from the camera and that provides compressed first video signals;

a radio transmitter coupled to the video compression circuitry for transmission of the compressed first video signals; and

a radio receiver for receipt of command signals, wherein the video compression circuitry is responsive to receipt of a control command by the radio receiver to modify operation of the video compression circuitry.

2. The wireless camera device of claim 1, wherein the video compression circuitry is responsive to receipt of a control command by the radio receiver to selectively increase and decrease bandwidth of the compressed first video signals.

3. A method of operation of a self-contained wireless camera device comprising:

receiving video signals from a first camera and providing compressed first video signals;

transmitting the compressed first video signals;

receiving control commands; and

controlling compression of video signals responsive to receipt of a first control command.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising selectively increasing and decreasing bandwidth of the compressed first video signals in response to receipt of the first control command.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

retransmitting the compressed first video signals in response to a second control command.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

grouping a second camera with the first camera to form a cluster of cameras, wherein the cluster functions as a logically accessible higher level group.