System and methods for wireless remote control over cameras with audio processing to generate a refined audio signal

• US 9,749,515 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2013
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jack J. Mccauley
• Original Assignee: Jack J. Mccauley
• Inventors: McCauley, Jack J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins, Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trehan, Akshay
• Application Number:
  US13/769,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20130250134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,653 Days
• Field of Search: 3482111-21111, 34821199, 368 10, 396 56
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2410/01 Noise reduction using microphones having different directional characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2410/05 Noise reduction with a separate noise microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2410/07 Mechanical or electrical reduction of wind noise generated by wind passing a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's

Abstract

Systems and methods for wireless remote control operation of cameras are provided. This system includes a remote controller which includes an interface for receiving commands from a user (such as turning on or off a camera), and a transceiver for transmitting the commands to one or more camera transceivers which are coupled to cameras. The remote controller may also include a display that indicates battery levels, camera status and even video feeds. Camera status and video feeds are transmitted from the camera transceiver which is coupled to the camera via an electrical bus interface. It may include a video converter that accepts raw video data from the camera and converts it into a video feed that is transmitted. Additionally, the camera transceiver may include an advanced audio circuit which subtracts measured pressure data from audio feeds to cancel out wind sounds.

Claims

1. A camera control system, useful for use in conjunction with at least one camera transceiver coupled to a video recorder, the camera control system comprising:

a mountable wireless remote controller including;

an interface configured to receive commands from a user, wherein the commands include turning on at least one camera, turning off the at least one camera, and grouping more than one camera for communal control into a plurality of groups, and wherein the commands are individual commands for a single camera of the at least one camera and a plurality of group commands, wherein each group command controls one of the plurality of groups for simultaneous communal control of the cameras within the given group based on user configuration; and

a transceiver configured to transmit the commands to at least one camera transceiver, wherein the at least one camera transceiver is coupled to the at least one camera;

an audio processing system comprising at least one microphone configured to transduce sound waves into a raw audio signal, a piezo pressure sensor optimized for a frequency domain associated with wind pressure configured to measure pressure differentials due to wind, wherein the pressure sensor generates a pressure signal, and a processor configured to subtract the pressure signal from the raw audio signal to generate a refined audio signal; and

an electrical bus interface configured to couple to the bus port of the at least one camera, wherein the bus interface provides the refined audio signal to the at least one camera.

2. The camera control system of claim 1, wherein the mountable wireless remote controller further comprises loops configured to accept a band enabling the mountable wireless remote controller to mount on the user, and wherein the band includes elastic material.

3. The camera control system of claim 1, wherein the interface includes a display.

4. The camera control system of claim 3, wherein the interface includes a battery level indicator on the display received from each of the at least one camera transceiver.

5. The camera control system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive information from the camera via the at least one camera transceiver.

6. The camera control system of claim 1, wherein the mountable wireless remote controller further comprises an adhesive mounting bracket for mounting the mountable wireless remote control.

7. The camera control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera is housed in a remote housing having

a protective clamshell case, including a front and a backing, configured to receive the at least one camera, and wherein the backing of the protective clamshell case houses

the at least one camera transceiver.

8. The camera control system of claim 7, wherein the electrical bus interface is further configured to couple to more than one peripheral device.

9. The camera control system of claim 7, wherein the remote camera housing further comprises a battery configured to be rechargeable.

10. The camera control system of claim 9, wherein the battery is further configured to supply energy to the camera.

11. The camera control system of claim 9, wherein the battery is recharged through the electrical bus interface.

12. The camera control system of claim 7, wherein the remote camera housing further comprises an internal video converter.

13. The camera control system of claim 12, wherein the at least one camera transceiver is further configured to transmit camera status and a video feed.

14. The camera control system of claim 13, wherein the camera transceiver transmits the video feed to a remote transceiver that couples to a remote portable viewing screen.

15. The camera control system of claim 13, wherein the at least one camera transceiver transmits the video feed to a distribution point, wherein the distribution point is linked to remote viewers.

16. The camera control system of claim 15, wherein the remote viewers are configured to access the video feed via a wireless network.