Multifunction remote control system for audio and video recording, capture, transmission and playback of full motion and still images

• US 7,428,368 B1
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: e-Watch, Inc. (Cision Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: e-Watch, Inc. (Cision Ltd.)
• Inventors: Monroe, David A., Forman, Michael A., Baker, Stephen M., Hoeffer, Randall A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier; Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/288,636
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 386/46, 386/124, 386/120, 386/104, 386/121, 386/117, 386/107, 386/1, 386/4, 386/52, 386/38
• US Class Current: 386/326
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

A multifunction remote controlled video recording, transmission and playback system includes a still frame generator adapted for selecting and generating still frames on the fly while a full motion video signal is being recorded, without interrupting the recording function. Audio and data signals, such as cockpit audio in an aircraft and gps and telemetry signals may also be incorporated in the recorded full motion video recording on a real time synchronized basis. The still frames are digitally enhanced, producing a full field frame from the analog video signal. Still frames can be produced in single, burst and snap modes without interrupting the full motion video recording function.

Claims

1. A multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system for recording full motion video signals comprising a series of sequential “

still”

frames, the recording/playback system comprising;

a. a recorder/player;

b. a central processing unit for controlling the recording/playback system;

c. a video signal source for providing a video signal;

d. a video signal transmission system;

e. a video signal switching system responsive to commands from the central processor unit for selectively distributing the video signal to the recorder/player, the display monitor and the transmission system, wherein a full motion video signal may be distributed to the recorder/player while a selected still frame of the video signal is distributed to other components of the system;

f. an audio signal source for providing an audio signal to the central processing unit for recording on the recorder/player unit; and

g. a data signal source for providing a data signal to the central processing unit for recording on the recorder/player unit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the data signal source comprises a GPS receiver.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the audio signal source comprises an aircraft interphone.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising an encryption unit for encrypting at least one signal.

5. Apparatus for receiving video from at least one video source, the video including a series of sequential still frames, the apparatus comprising:

a processor, the processor being operable to receive the video, the processor being operable to output digital video, the processor being operable to output digital data representing a still frame;

a control unit in communication with the processor, the control unit being operable to transmit to the processor at least one control signal;

a digital recorder in communication with the processor, the digital recorder being adapted to receive the digital video from the processor, the digital recorder being adapted to store the digital video;

a transmitter in communication with the processor, the transmitter being adapted to receive the digital data representing a still frame, the transmitter being in communication with a wireless recipient, the transmitter being adapted to transmit to the wireless recipient a wireless transmission embodying the digital data representing a still frame image; and

the processor upon receiving the at least one control signal being operable to output for communication to the digital recorder the digital video, while the processor upon receiving said at least one control signal being operable to output for communication to the transmitter the digital data representing a still frame image.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 and further comprising:

a video player in communication with the processor, the video player being operable to play digital video received from the processor;

the processor upon receiving at least one control signal being operable to output for communication to the video player the digital video.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 and further comprising:

at least one of;

an audio signal source in communication with the processor, the audio signal source providing to the processor an audio signal;

a data signal source in communication with the processor, the data signal source providing to the processor a data signal;

the processor upon receiving at least one of the audio signal and the data signal being operable to output for communication to the digital recorder the at least one of the audio signal and the data signal;

the digital recorder being adapted to receive from the processor the at least one of the audio signal and the data signal, the digital recorder being adapted to store the at least one of the audio signal and the data signal.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 and further comprising:

at least one connection suitable for receiving from a communications bus of a movable transport at least one of;

the video, the audio signal, the data signal.

9. The system of claim 7 and further comprising:

wherein the data signal source includes a GPS receiver.

10. The system of claim 5 and further comprising:

wherein the audio signal source includes an aircraft interphone.

11. The system of claim 5 and further comprising:

an encryption unit for encrypting the wireless transmission.

12. A multifunction remote controlled recording/playback system for recording full motion video signals including a series of sequential “

still”

frames, the recording playback system comprising;

a. a recorder/player unit;

b. a central processing unit for controlling the recording/playback system;

c. a video signal source for providing a video signal;

d. a video signal transmission system; and

e. a video signal switching system responsive to commands from the central processor unit for selectively distributing the video signal to the recorder/player, the display monitor and the transmission system, wherein a full motion video signal may be distributed to the recorder/player while a selected still frame of the video signal is distributed to other components of the system.

13. The system of claim 12 and further comprising:

an audio signal source for providing an audio signal to the central processing unit for recording on the recorder/player unit.

14. The system of claim 12 and further comprising:

a data signal source for providing a data signal to the central processing unit for recording on the recorder/player unit.

15. The system of claim 14 and further comprising:

wherein the data signal source including a GPS receiver.

16. The system of claim 13 and further comprising:

wherein the audio signal source including an aircraft interphone.

17. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

an encryption unit for encrypting at least one of the video signal, the data signal, the audio signal.