Embedded appliance for multimedia capture

• US 9,071,746 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2013
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Echo360, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Echo360, Incorporated
• Inventors: Allen, Geoffrey Benjamin, Geyer, Steven Lee, McElrath, Rodney Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): STREGE, JOHN B
• Application Number:
  US13/912,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20130271620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 348/211.99, 348/211.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1059 End-user terminal functionalities specially adapted for real-time communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• 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 21/23109 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42692 for reading from or writing on a volatile storage medium, e.g. Random Access Memory [RAM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3261 : of multimedia information, e.g. a sound signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 : of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/4448 : for frame-grabbing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0102 : involving the resampling of the incoming video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A multimedia device includes input ports dedicated to receiving a real-time media signal and a processor system dedicated to capturing the real-time media signal. The processor system defines an embedded environment. The input ports and the processor system are integrated into the multimedia capture device. The input ports include an audio input port and at least one of a visual-capture input port or a digital-image input port.

Claims

1. A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor system within an embedded environment, the code comprising code to cause the processor system to:

receive a schedule configured to trigger capture and compression of an audio signal and capture and compression of at least one of a visual-capture signal or a digital-image signal, the schedule being received from a control device separate from a device having the processor system;

capture the audio signal based on the schedule through a first input port to produce a first captured signal;

capture the at least one of the visual-capture signal or the digital-image signal based on the schedule through a second input port to produce a second captured signal;

detect a device type of a capture device coupled to the first input port;

detect a device type of a capture device coupled to the second input port;

compress the first captured signal based on a first compression variable associated with the schedule and based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port to produce a first compressed signal;

compress the second captured signal based on a second compression variable associated with the schedule and based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port to produce a second compressed signal; and

send the first compressed signal and the second compressed signal after the first compressed signal and the second compressed signal are produced.

2. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1, the code further comprising code to cause the processor system to:

select, before the first captured signal is compressed, a first codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port; and

select, before the second captured signal is compressed, a second codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port.

3. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1, the code further comprising code to cause the processor system to:

select a first codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port; and

select a second codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port,

the first captured signal being compressed using the first codec to produce the first compressed signal,

the second captured signal being compressed using the second codec to produce the second compressed signal.

4. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

the capture device coupled to the second input port is coupled to the second input port at a second time after a first time,

the code to detect the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port includes code to detect a difference between a capture device coupled to the second input port at the first time and the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time.

5. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

the capture device coupled to the second input port is coupled to the second input port at a second time after a first time,

the code to detect the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port includes code to detect a difference between a capture device coupled to the second input port at the first time and the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time,

the non-transitory processor-readable medium further including code to;

select a codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time, the second capture signal being compressed using the codec to produce the second compressed signal.

6. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

the captured signal is a digital-image signal,

the capture device coupled to the second input port is coupled to the second input port at a second time after a first time,

the code to detect the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port includes code to detect a difference between a capture device coupled to the second input port at the first time and the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time,

the non-transitory processor-readable medium further comprising code to;

select a first codec from a plurality of codecs when the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time is a web camera, the first codec configured to produce the compressed signal in a tiff format; and

select a second codec from the plurality of codecs when the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time is a digital camera, the second codec configured to product the compressed signal in a JPEG format.

7. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

the first compression variable associated with the schedule includes at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate, a frequency, a resolution, a color or a stabilization, associated with the first captured signal,

the second compression variable associated with the schedule includes at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate, a frequency, a resolution, a color or a stabilization, associated with the second captured signal.

8. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

the code to compress the first captured signal includes code to compress the first captured signal into a lossy format based on the first compression variable associated with the schedule to produce the first compressed signal,

the code to compress the second captured signal includes code to compress the second captured signal into a lossy format based on the second compression variable associated with the schedule to produce the second compressed signal.

9. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a processor system from a control device separate from the processor system, a schedule configured to trigger capture and compression of an audio signal and capture and compression of at least one of a visual-capture signal or a digital-image signal;

capturing, at the processor system, the audio signal based on the schedule through a first input port to produce a first captured signal;

capturing, at the processor system, the at least one of the visual-capture signal or the digital-image signal based on the schedule through a second input port to produce a second captured signal;

detecting, at the processor system, a device type of a capture device coupled to the first input port;

detecting, at the processor system, a device type of a capture device coupled to the second input port;

compressing, at the processor system, the first captured signal based on a first compression variable associated with the schedule and based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port to produce a first compressed signal;

compressing, at the processor system, the second captured signal based on a second compression variable associated with the schedule and based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port to produce a second compressed signal; and

sending, at the processor system, the first compressed signal and the second compressed signal after the first compressed signal and the second compressed signal are produced.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

selecting, before the first captured signal is compressed, a first codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port; and

selecting, before the second captured signal is compressed, a second codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

selecting a first codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port; and

selecting a second codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port,

the first captured signal being compressed using the first codec to produce the first compressed signal,

the second captured signal being compressed using the second codec to produce the second compressed signal.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the capture device coupled to the second input port is coupled to the second input port at a second time after a first time,

detecting the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port includes detecting a difference between a capture device coupled to the second input port at the first time and the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the capture device coupled to the second input port is coupled to the second input port at a second time after a first time,

detecting the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port includes detecting a difference between a capture device coupled to the second input port at the first time and the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time,

the method further comprising;

selecting a codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time, the second capture signal being compressed using the codec to produce the second compressed signal.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the captured signal is a digital-image signal,

the capture device coupled to the second input port is coupled to the second input port at a second time after a first time,

detecting the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port includes detecting a difference between a capture device coupled to the second input port at the first time and the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time,

the method further comprising;

selecting a first codec from a plurality of codecs when the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time is a web camera, the first codec configured to produce the compressed signal in a tiff format; and

selecting a second codec from the plurality of codecs when the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port at the second time is a digital camera, the second codec configured to product the compressed signal in a JPEG format.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the first compression variable associated with the schedule includes at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate, a frequency, a resolution, a color or a stabilization, associated with the first captured signal,

the second compression variable associated with the schedule includes at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate, a frequency, a resolution, a color or a stabilization, associated with the second captured signal.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein:

compressing the first captured signal includes compressing the first captured signal into a lossy format based on the first compression variable associated with the schedule to produce the first compressed signal,

compressing the second captured signal includes compressing the second captured signal into a lossy format based on the second compression variable associated with the schedule to produce the second compressed signal.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor system having a first input port and a second input port,

the processor system configured to receive, from a control device separate from the processor system, a schedule configured to trigger capture and compression of an audio signal and capture and compression of at least one of a visual-capture signal or a digital-image signal,

the processor system configured to capture the audio signal based on the schedule through a first input port to produce a first captured signal, the processor system configured to capture the at least one of the visual-capture signal or the digital-image signal based on the schedule through a second input port to produce a second captured signal,

the processor system configured to detect a device type of a capture device coupled to the first input port, the processor system configured to detect a device type of a capture device coupled to the second input port,

the processor system including a compression module, the compression module configured to compress the first captured signal based on a first compression variable associated with the schedule and based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port to produce a first compressed signal, the compression module configured to compress the second captured signal based on a second compression variable associated with the schedule and based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port to produce a second compressed signal, and

the processor system configured to send the first compressed signal and the second compressed signal after the first compressed signal and the second compressed signal are produced.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the processing system is configured to select, before the first captured signal is compressed, a first codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port, and

the processing system is configured to select, before the second captured signal is compressed, a second codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the processing system is configured to select a first codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the first input port,

the processing system is configured to select a second codec from a plurality of codecs based on the device type of the capture device coupled to the second input port,

the first captured signal being compressed using the first codec to produce the first compressed signal, and

the second captured signal being compressed using the second codec to produce the second compressed signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the first compression variable associated with the schedule includes at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate, a frequency, a resolution, a color or a stabilization, associated with the first captured signal,

the second compression variable associated with the schedule includes at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate, a frequency, a resolution, a color or a stabilization, associated with the second captured signal.