Wireless network camera systems

• US 9,589,434 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2014
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Siann, Jon, Espey, Dennis James
• Primary Examiner(s): Jain, Raj
• Application Number:
  US14/559,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20150130935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a 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 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 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts 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 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

Apparatus, systems and techniques associated with battery powered wireless camera systems. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a battery powered wireless camera including an internal battery to provide energy and a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods. The system includes a base station, separated from the battery powered wireless camera, in wireless communication with the battery powered wireless camera to receive information from the battery powered wireless camera. The base station is configured to process the received information and includes a web server to transmit the processed information to a client. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.

Claims

1. A wireless network camera system comprising:

a sensor with a first wireless radio signaling circuitry; and

a wireless camera, including;

a second wireless radio signaling circuitry, the second wireless radio signaling circuitry in radio wireless communication with the first wireless radio signaling circuitry, the wireless camera receiving a trigger event detected by the sensor and transmitted via the first radio signaling circuitry, the wireless camera transmitting video data,

an image capture module configured to capture image data,

a low bandwidth transceiver configured to communicate with a base station at a first bandwidth, and

a high bandwidth transceiver configured to communicate with the base station at a second bandwidth that is higher than the first bandwidth and to be powered down until detection of the trigger event and powered up to transmit image data from the image capture module to the base station upon detection of the trigger event;

wherein a notification communication is automatically initiated by the wireless camera and transmitted via cellular communication to a user based on detection of the trigger event;

wherein the sensor and the first wireless radio signaling circuitry is located away from the wireless camera and the second wireless radio signaling circuitry;

and wherein the wireless camera is low power and permanently mounted.

2. The wireless network camera system of claim 1, further comprising:

a base station (i) located separate from the wireless camera, (ii) in cellular wireless communication with the wireless camera, (iii) configured to receive the video data, and (iv) configured to transmit the video data to a client.

3. The wireless network camera system of claim 2, further comprising a network connecting the base station and the client, the client including a video surveillance application to display video images.

4. The wireless network camera system of claim 2, wherein the video data comprises compressed video signals.

5. The wireless network camera system of claim 2, wherein the video data is transmitted to the base station during burst periods.

6. The wireless camera system of claim 2, wherein the base station includes a web server for transmitting the video data to the client.

7. The wireless network camera system of claim 1, wherein the wireless camera is solar powered.

8. The wireless network camera system of claim 1, wherein the wireless camera is a network camera comprising:

an internal battery;

a networking module configured to communicate with a network;

an image capturing module configured to capture images; and

an image compression circuit configured to compress the captured images.

9. The wireless network camera system of claim 1, wherein the notification communication is an automated cellular phone text message, a phone call, an email or other textual, visual, or auditory alert.

10. The wireless network camera system of claim 1, further comprising an internal battery, wherein an output voltage of the internal battery is boosted or regulated by an active power management circuitry.

11. The wireless network camera system of claim 1, further comprising;

an internal battery coupled to the wireless camera and providing power to the wireless camera; and

a solar panel coupled to the internal battery and configured to recharge the internal battery.