FIREARM-MOUNTED CAMERA DEVICE WITH NETWORKED CONTROL AND ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20150369554A1
• Filed: 06/15/2015
• Published: 12/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centinel Shield, LLC
• Original Assignee: Centinel Solutions, INC
• Inventors: Kramer, Maximilian
• Granted Patent: US 9,897,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/10 Cinematographic hit-indicating systems cinematographic targets F41J9/14
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19621 Portable camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19673 Addition of time stamp, i.e. time metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/806 with processing of the sound signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

An electronic camera device, and associated system and interfaces, that generates, records and transmits video, audio and sensor data. Camera device comprises a housing with a fastening mechanism adapted to mount the device to a firearm. The device has a processor module, a memory module for storage, a camera module configured to generate and record video and store the video to memory. The device further includes a magnetic sensor configured to detect the presence and absence of a magnet and an accelerometer that is configured to detect a draw motion (e.g., a firearm being unholstered). When the magnetic sensor detects the absence of a magnet, and the accelerometer detects a draw motion, one or more corresponding signals are generated and transmitted, directing the camera to begin recording (and transmitting) video and send an alert signal to assets in the field to provide support.

Claims

1. An electronic device for generating and recording video data, audio data, sensor data and other data, comprising:

a housing with a fastening mechanism attached to said housing and adapted to mount said housing to the surface of a firearm;

a processor module;

a storage medium memory module in operative connection with said processor module;

a camera module configured to generate and record video data in operative connection with said processor module and said storage medium memory module;

a magnetic sensor operatively connected to said processor module that is configured to detect the presence and absence of a magnet and which generates a first signal to said processor module when said magnetic sensor detects the absence of a magnet, said first signal being representative of the absence of a magnet;

an accelerometer sensor operatively connected to said processor module that is configured to detect a draw motion and which generates a second signal to said processor module when said accelerometer sensor detects said draw motion, said second signal being representative that a draw motion has taken place;

wherein when said first signal and said second signal are generated, said camera module is configured to enter an active state and to generate and record video data to said storage medium memory module.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module configured to transmit video data that is recorded at storage medium memory module via a communication network to a remote video storage memory unit.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module configured to stream said video data that is generated by said camera module and transmit said video data via a communication network to a remote administrative interface.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module, wherein said processor module is configured to transmit an emergency notification signal to assets that is representative of said firearm being unholstered via said communication module when said first signal and said second signal are generated.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a unique Camera ID identifier, wherein when said video data is recorded to said storage medium memory module, data representative of said Camera ID identifier is inserted with said video data that is recorded.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, further comprising a unique Firearm ID identifier representative of a firearm to which said device is assigned, wherein when said video data is recorded to said storage medium memory module, data representative of said Firearm ID identifier is inserted with said video data that is recorded.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module that is configured to receive and transmit data via a cellular network.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module that is configured to receive and transmit data via a WiFi network.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module that is configured to transmit control signals and initiate record signals to another electronic device.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said communication module is a Bluetooth antenna configured to establish wireless communication with another electronic device.

11. An electronic device for generating and recording video data, audio data, sensor data and other data, comprising:

a housing, said housing having a mounting clamp to mount to an exterior surface of a firearm;

a CPU-based controller;

a memory configured to store data and operatively connected to said CPU-based controller;

a location module for detecting the location of said electronic device;

a camera configured to generate and record video data to said memory and operatively connected to said CPU-based controller;

a communication module to transmit recorded video data via a network, and operatively connected to said CPU-based controller;

a first sensor, said first sensor being configured to detect the presence or absence of a magnet;

a second sensor, said second sensor being configured to detect a draw motion;

wherein when said first sensor detects the absence of a magnet and said second sensor detects a draw motion, said camera is configured to turn on and record video data.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein said location module is configured to detect one or more preprogrammed geofenced locations, wherein when said electronic device is located at one of said one or more preprogrammed geofenced location, said camera is configured to remain in an off state.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein said second sensor is configured to detect forensic data generated through the use of a firearm to which said electronic device is mounted.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein said forensic data is associated with the use of said firearm and comprises data representative of a number of shots fired.

15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein said forensic data is associated with the use of said firearm and comprises data representative of shot succession.

16. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein said forensic data is associated with the use of said firearm and comprises data representative of an angle of said firearm use.

17. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein said second sensor is configured to distinguish between a draw motion that results in the unholstering of a firearm and a non-draw motion that results in the unholstering of a firearm, wherein when said second sensor detects said non-draw motion that results in the unholstering of a firearm, said camera is configured to remain in an off state.

18. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a manual actuator configured to switch said camera on and off.

19. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein said communications module is configured to transmit an emergency alert signal when said first sensor detects the absence of a magnet and said second sensor detects a draw motion.

20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein said location module is configured to provide location information representing the source of said emergency alert signal.

21. A no transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable code for managing events defined by the unholstering of firearms, the computer executable code comprising instructions for:

receiving video data transmitted via a communication network from an electronic camera device mounted to an unholstered firearm and having a sensor configured to detect, said video data being generated in response to the detection of a draw motion by said sensor;

receiving metadata transmitted with said video data, said metadata representative of a Camera ID, a Firearm ID, a User ID, an Event Create Date and an Event Create Time, wherein said Camera ID identifies said electronic camera device, said Firearm ID identifies said firearm, said User ID represents a user of said electronic camera device and said firearm, said Event Date identifies a date that said video data is created and said Event Create Time identifies a time that said video data is created;

creating a plurality of Events;

assigning an Event ID to each of said plurality of Events;

associating said video data, said Camera ID, said Firearm ID, said User ID and said Event Create Date with said Event ID;

storing said video data in a video storage memory;

storing said Camera ID, said Firearm ID, said User ID and said Event Create Date in a searchable database for each of said plurality of Events.

22. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the computer executable code further comprises instructions for retrieving said video data for display in response to a query for one or more of said Camera ID, said Firearm ID, said User ID and said Event Create Date.

23. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the computer executable code further comprises instructions for displaying said video data in response to a request to play said video data.

24. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the computer executable code further comprises instructions for retrieving one or more of said Events that match a set of query parameters that includes one or more of said Camera ID, said Firearm ID, said User ID and said Event Create Date.

25. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 24 wherein the computer executable code further comprises instructions for listing said Events in a table that lists said Camera ID, said Firearm ID, said User ID and said Event Create Date.

26. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 25 wherein the computer executable code further comprises instructions for displaying a Map with a Map Marker identifying the location of each of said Events.

27. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 26 wherein said Map Marker refers to coordinates on said Map in latitude and longitude that identifies the location of said electronic camera device when said video data is created.

28. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 25 wherein the computer executable code further comprises instructions for displaying Event Details information.

29. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 28 wherein said Event Details information comprises coordinates in latitude and longitude that identifies the location of said electronic camera device when said video data is created.

30. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 29 wherein the computer executable code further comprises instructions for providing a link to display said video data.

38. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, said additional identifiers including Video Duration of said video data.

31. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, in communication with a memory storage unit comprising video data storage, audio data storage and sensor data storage, said memory storage unit configured to be populated by Events associated with video data, audio data and sensor data that are transmitted by an electronic camera device and stored in said memory storage unit, and said non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising executable computer code, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

associate video data with an Event, said Event being classified with the following identifiers, (a) Date of Event, (b) Event ID, (c) User ID, (d) Camera ID and (e) Firearm ID, wherein said Date of Event identifies the date when an Event occurred, said Event ID is a unique alphanumeric identifier of said Event, said User ID identifies a user of an electronic camera device, said Camera ID identifies an electronic camera device, and said Firearm ID identifies a firearm;

provide a graphical user interface with a plurality of search fields identifying input criteria to filter through a plurality of Events, said search fields including a User ID field, a Camera ID field, a Firearm ID field, and a Date Range field;

access and search said memory storage unit for Events that satisfy criteria input into said search fields when said search is requested;

graphically display a table of Events, wherein each of said Events listed in said table of Events satisfy all criteria input into said search fields, and wherein said table of Events lists a Date of Event, said User ID, said Camera ID and said Firearm ID for each of the Events listed in said table of Events.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 with one or more programs comprising executable computer code, which when executed by a computer, further cause the computer to graphically display a Map with an Event Marker identifying a location of each of said Events.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 with one or more programs comprising executable computer code, which when executed by a computer, further cause the computer to display, when requested, said video data associated with each of said Events.

34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 33 with one or more programs comprising executable computer code, which when executed by a computer, further cause the computer to display, when requested, information corresponding to sensor data associated with each of said Events.

35. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 with one or more programs comprising executable computer code, which when executed by a computer, further cause the computer to graphically display an Event Details Popup for each Event, said Event Details Popup listing additional identifiers associated with each Event.

36. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 35, said additional identifiers including Officer Name and Badge Number.

37. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 35, said additional identifiers including Firearm Type.

39. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31, with one or more programs comprising executable computer code, which when executed by a computer, further cause the computer to graphically display an Event Details Popup, said Event Details Popup providing a view link to view said video data associated with said Event listed on said Event Details Popup.

40. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31 with one or more programs comprising executable computer code, which when executed by a computer, further cause the computer to graphically display a Map with an Event Marker identifying a location of each of said Events side by side with said table of Events.

41. A graphical user interface operatively connected to a processor controlled computer system for conducting searches in a table populated with data pertaining to Events that are defined in part by the unholstering of a firearm, and displaying results of said searches, each of said Events being associated with identifiers including a Date of Event, a Video ID, a Camera ID, a Firearm ID and a User ID, comprising:

a plurality of search fields, the input of which serve as search criteria present in said table populated with data pertaining to said Events, said search fields including a User ID field, a Camera ID field, a Firearm ID field, and a Date Range field;

a search result display area configured to display a listing of one or more Events defined by the unholstering of a firearm and that match said search criteria, said listing of one or more Events comprising information identifying a Date of Event, a User ID, a Camera ID and a Firearm ID for each of said Events listed.

42. The graphical user interface of claim 41, further comprising a search result display area configured to provide a video link that when actuated is configured to display video associated with each of said Events.

43. The graphical user interface of claim 41, further comprising a search result display area configured to provide a link to an Event Details Popup for each of said Events, said Event Details Popup providing for display additional identifiers associated with each of said Events.

44. The graphical user interface of claim 43, wherein said Event Details Popup is configured to provide a video link that when actuated is configured to display video associated to said Event referenced in said Event Details Popup.

45. The graphical user interface of claim 43, said additional identifiers including Officer Name and Badge Number.

46. The graphical user interface of claim 43, said additional identifiers including Firearm Type.

47. The graphical user interface of claim 43, said additional identifiers including Video Duration of said video data.

48. The graphical user interface of claim 41, further comprising a Map with an Event Marker identifying a location of an Event.

49. The graphical user interface of claim 48, wherein said Map with an Event Marker identifying a location of an Event is displayed side by side with said listing of one or more Events.

50. The graphical user interface of claim 41, further comprising a Map with an Event Marker identifying a location of an Event side by side with said listing of one or more Events.

51. A system for generating and recording events defined by the unholstering of a firearm, comprising:

an electronic camera device configured to generate and record video and sensor data in response to the unholstering of a firearm to which said electronic camera device is mounted, said electronic camera comprising a communications module to transmit said video and sensor data;

a database, comprising data pertaining to a plurality of events, each event identified by Event ID, a User ID, a Camera ID and a Firearm ID;

a video storage for storing video associated with said plurality of events;

a processor controlled server, said server being operatively connected to access said database and video storage in response to a query for one or more of said plurality of events by said User ID, said Camera ID and said Firearm ID;

wherein said electronic camera device is configured to transmit said video and said sensor data when said firearm is unholstered.

52. The system of claim 51, further comprising an administrative interface to submit queries for events by said User ID, said Camera ID and said Firearm ID.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein when said firearm is unholstered, said electronic camera device is configured to transmit a notification signal to said server.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein said notification signal is an emergency notification signal notifying assets to converge on a location defined by the source of said notification signal.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein said notification signal is a signal indicating that video is being recorded by said electronic camera device.

56. The system of claim 51, wherein when said firearm is unholstered, said processor is configured to generate and transmit an emergency notification signal notifying assets of a location defining the source of said electronic camera device.

57. The system of claim 51, wherein said electronic device comprises a magnetic sensor configured to detect the presence and absence of a magnet, wherein when said sensor detects the absence of a magnet, said electronic camera device turns on and records video.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein said electronic device further comprises an accelerometer configured to detect a draw motion, wherein when either said accelerometer detects said draw motion or said magnetic sensor detects the absence of a magnet, said electronic camera device turns on and records video.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein said electronic device further comprises an accelerometer configured to detect a draw motion, wherein when both said accelerometer detects said draw motion and said magnetic sensor detects the absence of a magnet, said electronic camera device turns on and records video.

60. The system of claim 51, wherein said sensor data comprises data generated from an accelerometer representative of the number of shots fired, shot succession information, angles of firearm use, timing of firearm use, and speed of movement.