WO2012036624A1

WO2012036624A1 - Apparatus for wireless video transmission

Info

Publication number: WO2012036624A1
Application number: PCT/SG2010/000337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Winn Tan
Original assignee: T-Data Systems (S) Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-13
Filing date: 2010-09-13
Publication date: 2012-03-22
Also published as: WO2012036629A1

Abstract

A video camera (100) is disclosed. The video camera (100) comprises: i) a central processing unit (116); ii) at least one memory module (118; 120) operatively connected to the central processing unit (116); iii) a camera module (124) configured to capture video images; iv) a video encoder (122) operatively connected to the camera module (124); and v) a wireless module (126) operatively connected to the central processing unit (116). The video encoder (122) is configured to encode captured video in real time and to pass the encoded captured video to the central processing unit (116). The wireless module (126) is configured to receive the encoded captured video from the central processing unit (116) and to wirelessly stream the encoded captured video. A method of recording video is also disclosed.

Description

Apparatus for Wireless Video Transmission

Technical Field

This invention relates to and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to apparatus for wireless video transmission and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to an Internet Protocol video camera for wireless video transmission.

Background

Current technology does not provide a WiFi-enabled, Internet Protocol ("IP") video camera. All video cameras are connected via cables directly to a host computer such as, for example, a personal computer or to a separate wireless transmitter. For a camera to be WiFi-enabled, an inbuilt power source and a wireless environment will be required. That means a WiFi router is required to connect the video camera to a host computer. This will normally require the video camera to be bulky and require higher power for the inbuilt, complex compression system.

Summary

According to an exemplary aspect there is provided a video camera comprising: i) a central processing unit; ii) at least one memory module operatively connected to the central processing unit; iii) a camera module configured to capture video images; iv) a video encoder operatively connected to the camera module, the video encoder being configured to encode captured video in real time and to pass the encoded captured video to the central processing unit; and v) a wireless module operatively connected to the central processing unit, the wireless module being configured to receive the encoded captured video from the central processing unit and to wirelessly stream the encoded captured video.

According to another exemplary aspect there is provided a method of recording video. Specifically, the method comprises the steps of: i) capturing the video; ii) encoding the captured video in real time; and iii) streaming the encoded captured video wirelessly.

Embodiments of the video camera may therefore directly connect - via a wireless network such as a WiFi network - with a remote host machine to which the encoded captured video is wirelessly streamed. This advantageously means that the embodiments of the video camera do not need to connect to the wireless network via an intermediate device such as a wireless router.

Some optional features are defined in the dependent claims. For example, embodiments of the video camera may be remotely controlled by a host machine. Advantageously therefore, a user local to the host machine may remotely control embodiments of the video camera via an internet browser, for example, in respect of receiving streaming video from the video camera and/or controlling the motion of the video camera to pan, tilt, and/or zoom into a specific area.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only exemplary embodiments, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a video camera; and

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the components of the video camera of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiments

To refer to the drawing figures there is shown a video camera 100 having a base 102 and a body 104. The body 104 contains the lens 106 and may also have a microphone 108. A power source such as, for example, a battery 110 may be located in the base 102 or the body 104 and is operatively connected to a power controller 112. A switch 114 may be provided for functions such as, for example, ON and OFF. The switch 114 may be a physical switch on the video camera 100 or may be an electronic switch controlled remotely by a host machine 200 such as, for example, a personal computer, Internet-enabled mobile telephone, or the like.

The video camera 100 also has a central processing unit ("CPU") 1 16 operatively connected to the switch 114 and thus the power source 1 10 via the power control 112. The CPU 1 16 is configured to run a video server. Operatively connected to the CPU 116, and controlled by the CPU 116, are a ROM module 118 and a RAM module 120 for all necessary memory functionality. This may include the storage of any video and/or audio output from the video camera 100 over a predetermined time.

To reduce power consumption the video camera 100 may have an encoding module 122 such as, for example, a JPEG encoder, operatively connected to both the CPU 116 and a CMOS camera module 124. The encoder module 122 is to perform real time encoding such that the encoding will not consume CPU 116 power. For example, the captured video may be compressed real time by the encoding module 122 frame by frame. The encoding module may also include an audio encoder/decoder ("CODEC") if the microphone 108 is provided.

A wireless module 126 is also operatively connected to the CPU 1 6 and is preferably configured to operate on known wireless protocols such as, for example, WiFi. The wireless module 126 will include an antenna (not shown). The wireless module 126 is configured to continuously stream encoded video and possibly encoded audio. It may also be configured to wirelessly receive control functions from the host device 200.

Once the switch 114 is in the ON position, and the power source 110 connected, the video camera 100 will automatically capture video by the camera module 124, and possibly audio if the microphone 108 is provided. The captured video and audio is encoded by the encoder 122 and passed through the CPU 116 to the wireless module 126. The wireless module 126 can continuously stream the video and audio using a suitable wireless protocol such as, for example, WiFi Adhoc. A known web browser may be used to connect the host machine 200 to the video camera 100 and stream video from the video camera 100. The streaming may include audio if the microphone 108 is provided. This may be simultaneously with the video. The host device 200 can then record the video, and any audio, on the host device 200. Security by use of such well-known protocols as a user name and password may be included for control of user access to the streaming video and any audio from the video camera 100, as well as controlling access to control functions of the video camera 100 by the host device 200 - for example, the switch 114.

The video camera 100 is preferably not more than 30cm in size (normally diameter). Whilst the foregoing description has described exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations in details of design, construction and/or operation may be made without departing from the present invention. For example, a user local to the host device 200 may use the web browser to remotely control the video camera 100. Such control of the video camera 100 may involve the motion of the video camera 100 to pan, tilt, and/or zoom into a specific area. The user may also specify the time and/or date for the video camera 100 to record video. In addition to wireless receive control functions from the host device 200, the wireless module 126 may be configured to receive video and/or audio data from the host device 200 for playback to a user local to the video camera 100.

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1. A video camera comprising:

a central processing unit;

at least one memory module operatively connected to the central processing unit;

a camera module configured to capture video images;

a video encoder operatively connected to the camera module, the video encoder being configured to encode captured video in real time and to pass the encoded captured video to the central processing unit;

and a wireless module operatively connected to the central processing unit, the wireless module being configured to receive the encoded captured video from the central processing unit and to wirelessly stream the encoded captured video.

A video camera as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a microphone, the video encoder further comprising an audio encoder for encoding any received audio, and the wireless module being further configured to wirelessly stream the encoded captured audio simultaneously with the encoded captured video.

A video camera as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a switch operatively connected to a source of power and to the central processing unit.

A video camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch is configured to be remotely controlled by a host machine.

A video camera as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the switch is operatively connected to a source of power via a power controller.

6. A video camera as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one memory module comprises a RAM module and a ROM module.

7. A method of recording video, the method comprising the steps of:

capturing the video;

encoding the captured video in real time; and

streaming the encoded captured video wirelessly. A method of recording video as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

capturing audio;

encoding the audio; and

streaming the encoded captured audio wirelessly and simultaneously with the encoded captured video.

A method of recording video as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, where recording of the video or the audio is remotely controlled by a host

machine.