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

• US 8,085,309 B1
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• 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): Ometz, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhan, Ahmed A
• Application Number:
  US12/576,980
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 348/153, 348/154, 348/156, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/143, 348/372, 348/207.99, 348/211.3
• US Class Current: 348/211.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19636 pertaining to the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• 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

Abstract

A stand-alone camera system for capturing and transmitting real-time trail data over a wireless communication system to pre-programmable electronic destinations. A CPU receives triggering information and thereby sets the capturing mechanism to a triggering mode. Such triggering information is set at a sensitivity level and a time frame. The automatic toggling mechanism includes a plurality of infra-red sensors that detect a plurality of operating parameters. If a triggered interruption does not last for the time frame, the CPU returns to the sleep mode for conserving battery consumption. If the triggered interruption lasts for the time frame, the CPU wakes up the capturing and monitoring mechanism and thereby causes the capturing and monitoring mechanism to automatically capture an image of a triggered interrupter associated with the triggered interruption. Such captured images are then wirelessly transmitted to the pre-programmable electronic destinations for viewing.

Claims

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

a housing comprising

a central processing unit (CPU),

means for capturing and monitoring game trail images over an extended period of time,

means for automatically toggling said capturing and monitoring means between operable and non-operable modes, and

means for wirelessly sending the trail images in real-time to the pre-programmable electronic destinations,

wherein said automatic toggling means comprises a plurality of infra-red sensors that detect a plurality of operating parameters;

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 a time frame, said CPU returns to said sleep mode for conserving battery consumption;

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

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein said operating parameters comprise:

at least one operating parameter including motion, temperature, light, barometric pressure, and internal power source fluctuations.

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

a housing base and a housing cover pivotally coupled thereto, said housing base and said housing cover being 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.

4. The camera system of claim 3, wherein said capturing and monitoring 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.

5. A camera system for capturing and transmitting real-time trail data over a wireless communication system to pre-programmable electronic destinations, said camera comprising:

a housing comprising

a central processing unit (CPU),

means for capturing and monitoring game trail images over an extended period of time,

means for automatically toggling said capturing and monitoring means between operable and non-operable modes, and

means for wirelessly sending the trail images in real-time to the pre-programmable electronic destinations;

wherein said CPU receives 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 automatic toggling means comprises a plurality of infra-red sensors that detect a plurality of operating parameters;

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 time frame, said CPU wakes up said capturing and monitoring means and thereby causes said capturing and monitoring means to automatically capture an image of a triggered interrupter associated with said triggered interruption.

6. The camera system of claim 5, wherein said operating parameters comprise:

at least one operating parameter including motion, temperature, light, barometric pressure, and internal power source fluctuations.

7. The camera system of claim 5, wherein said housing comprises:

a housing base and a housing cover pivotally coupled thereto, said housing base and said housing cover being 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.

8. The camera system of claim 7, wherein said capturing and monitoring 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.

9. A camera system for capturing and transmitting real-time trail data over a wireless communication system to pre-programmable electronic destinations, said camera comprising:

a housing comprising

a central processing unit (CPU),

means for capturing and monitoring game trail images over an extended period of time, said capturing and monitoring means being disposed at said housing and further being communicatively coupled to said CPU,

means for automatically toggling said capturing and monitoring means between operable and non-operable modes, and

means for wirelessly sending the trail images in real-time to the pre-programmable electronic destinations;

wherein said CPU receives 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 automatic toggling means comprises a plurality of infra-red sensors that detect a plurality of operating parameters;

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 time frame, said CPU wakes up said capturing and monitoring means and thereby causes said capturing and monitoring means to automatically capture an image of a triggered interrupter associated with said triggered interruption.

10. The camera system of claim 9, wherein said operating parameters comprise:

at least one operating parameter including motion, temperature, light, barometric pressure, and internal power source fluctuations.

11. The camera system of claim 9, wherein said housing comprises:

a housing base and a housing cover pivotally coupled thereto, said housing base and said housing cover being 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.

12. The camera system of claim 11, wherein said capturing and monitoring 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.