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

• US 8,144,204 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2010
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wyckoff, Jan-Michael, Strandwitz, Peter, Kniskern, Robert, Schulz, Gary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US12/689,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20100110207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 34821199-2114, 348/211.11, 348/207.99, 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 circuitry (200, 210) of the camera device receives video signals from a camera (130) and provides processed video signals. A radio receiver (101) receives processed 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 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. An wireless device comprising:

a camera generating video information contained in a signal transmitted over a wireless channel, wherein the wireless channel has a total bandwidth capability; and

a communications interface receiving an initial command to utilize a first bandwidth utilization on the wireless channel in accordance with a first set of parameters and receiving a subsequent command to utilize a second bandwidth utilization on the wireless channel in accordance with a second set of parameters, wherein the second bandwidth utilization is less than the first bandwidth utilization and wherein a total bandwidth utilization of all wireless devices communicating on the wireless channel is not greater than the total bandwidth capability of the wireless channel.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the communications interface changes from the first bandwidth utilization to the second bandwidth utilization in response to the second command.

3. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the communications interface continues to utilize the first bandwidth utilization and sends a negative acknowledgment in response to the second command.

4. A method comprising:

configuring at least one device to utilize a first bandwidth utilization on a wireless channel in accordance with a first set of parameters;

receiving a request from another device to utilize the wireless channel; and

when a total bandwidth capability of the wireless channel is exceeded with the second device operating at the first bandwidth utilization, instructing the at least one device and the other device to configure at a second bandwidth utilization in accordance with a second set of parameters, wherein a total bandwidth utilization of the at least one device and the other device is not greater than the total bandwidth capability of the wireless channel.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one device and the other device transmit video data over the wireless channel.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a negative acknowledgement from the at least one device in response to instructing the at least on device to reduce from the first bandwidth utilization to the second bandwidth utilization.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

changing, by the at least one device, from the first bandwidth utilization to the second bandwidth utilization in response to the instructing.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a communications interface;

a controller;

communicating with at least one device and another device through the communications interface over a wireless channel;

configuring the at least one device to utilize a first bandwidth utilization on a wireless channel in accordance with a first set of parameters;

receiving a request from the other device to utilize the wireless channel; and

when a total bandwidth capability of the wireless channel is exceeded with the second device operating at the first bandwidth utilization, instructing the at least one device and the other device to configure with a second bandwidth utilization in accordance with a second set of parameters, wherein a total bandwidth utilization of the at least one device and the other device is not greater than the total bandwidth capability of the wireless channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, the controller preventing bandwidth reduction on the wireless channel when a negative acknowledgement is received from the at least one device in response to the instructing to reduce from the first bandwidth utilization to the second bandwidth utilization.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, the controller preventing bandwidth reduction by the at least one device on the wireless channel when a minimum level of service is reached.