Wireless video camera and connection methods including multiple video streams

• US 9,888,214 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2013
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Bateman, John, Ostap, Oleg, Hoheisel, Oliver, Kim, David, Karnataki, Vijay
• Primary Examiner(s): Perungavoor, Sath V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duley, Janese
• Application Number:
  US13/960,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20140043485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/951 by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from multiple devices are provided. A camera may include an optical sensor, a wireless communication device, and a processor configured to establish a first connection with a remote location, establish a second connection with one or more other cameras, and stream video from the cameras to the remote location. The remote location may be, for example, a remote website, a remote server, or a remote client device. The camera may be further configured to provide control signals to the other cameras, such as for controlling applications running on the other cameras.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

an optical sensor for producing a first video stream;

a wireless communication device; and

a processor configured to

establish a first connection with a remote location,

establish a second connection with at least a second physical camera via a virtual USB bus run by the processor,

receive a second video stream from the second camera, and

stream two video streams to the remote location, the two video streams being the first video stream from the camera and the second video stream from the second camera.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the remote location is at least one of a remote website, a remote server, and a remote client device.

3. The camera of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

provide control signals to the second camera, and

control an application running on the second camera based on the control signals.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein the second camera comprises a plurality of cameras.

5. The camera of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to combine the first video from the camera with the second video from the second camera.

6. The camera of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to switch an outgoing video stream between the first video stream and the second video stream.

7. The camera of claim 1, wherein the remote location is a remote website, and the processor is configured to stream the first video from the camera and the second video from the second camera to the remote website via a local wireless network connected to the internet.

8. The camera of claim 1, wherein the camera connects with the second camera via at least one of wifi, Bluetooth, and an internet router.

9. A method of streaming combined video from a plurality of cameras, said method comprising:

establishing a first connection between a first physical camera and a remote location;

establishing a second connection between the first camera and at least a second physical camera; and

streaming first video from the first camera and second video from the second camera to the remote location via the first camera,

wherein the second connection is established via a virtual USB bus run by the first camera.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the remote location is at least one of a remote website, a remote server, and a remote client device.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing control signals from the first camera to the second camera, and

controlling an application running on the second camera based on the control signals.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second camera comprises a plurality of cameras.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising combining the first video from the first camera with the second video from the second camera.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising switching an outgoing video stream between the first video stream and the second video stream.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the remote location is a remote website, and the first video from the first camera and the second video from the second camera are streamed to the remote website via a local wireless network connected to the internet.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the first camera connects with the second camera via at least one of wifi, Bluetooth, and an internet router.