GB2461022A - Recording camera system that transmits stored images - Google Patents
Recording camera system that transmits stored images Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2461022A GB2461022A GB0810935A GB0810935A GB2461022A GB 2461022 A GB2461022 A GB 2461022A GB 0810935 A GB0810935 A GB 0810935A GB 0810935 A GB0810935 A GB 0810935A GB 2461022 A GB2461022 A GB 2461022A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- camera
- camera system
- data storage
- storage device
- images
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
- H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
- H04N7/185—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
- G08B13/19621—Portable camera
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19665—Details related to the storage of video surveillance data
- G08B13/19667—Details realated to data compression, encryption or encoding, e.g. resolution modes for reducing data volume to lower transmission bandwidth or memory requirements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/76—Television signal recording
- H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
- H04N5/77—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television camera
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
- H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/76—Television signal recording
- H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
Abstract
A camera system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the camera system comprising a camera 2 for recording images at spaced apart intervals in time; a data storage device 4 connected to the camera for storing the images recorded by the camera; a transmission device 7 connected to the data storage device and adapted to be switched between inactive and active states such that on switching to the active state the transmission device wirelessly transmits the images that have previously been stored by the data storage device in a time window, the time window extending from the time of activation backwards in time by a predetermined storage time. The camera may be connected to the memory by a Bluetooth (R) link 3, and a microphone 5 may also be used. The system may continue sending images following the activation incident.
Description
Intellectual Property Office mm For Creetity and Innovation Application No. GBO8 10935.7 RTM Date:6 October 2008 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth Kleer UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of The Patent Office A Camera System The present invention relates to a camera system. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a camera system comprising a transmission device which, on activation, wirelessly transmits the images stored by the camera in time window which extends from a storage time previous to the time of activation to the time of activation.
Cameras adapted to be worn on the body are known, particularly for use by police officers or other members of the emergency services. Such cameras are often used for recording incidents, typically for use as evidence at a later date. Typically such cameras have a wireless link to a receiver at a remote location. As such cameras are always transmitting images they will transmit a large amount of data over a period of use. Most of this data is unnecessary and is expensive to transmit.
One known solution to this problem is to store the data on a hard disk on the user. This can then be downloaded at a later date. Large capacity disks can be expensive and heavy.
In addition, many users, for example police officers, would prefer the recording to be stored remotely from the user to remove the temptation for theft by third parties.
An alternative known solution is for the camera to be activated by the user when required. The camera system then transmits the received images. This minimizes the amount of data which needs to be transmitted. However, with such an approach the recording will miss actions leading up to an incident. By the time the user has activated the camera system the incident the user wishes to record may have already finished.
The present invention seeks to overcome the limitations of the prior art.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a camera system, the camera system comprising a camera for recording images at spaced apart intervals in time; a data storage device connected to the camera for storing the images recorded by the camera; and, a transmission device connected to the data storage device and adapted to be switched between inactive and active states such that on switching to the active state the transmission device wirelessly transmits the images that have previously been stored by the data storage device in a time window, the time window extending from the time of activation backwards in time by a predetermined storage time.
The camera system according to the invention does not continuously transmit images to a remote location but stores them on a data storage device local to the user. When the transmission device is activated it transmits the images that were stored on the data storage device in a window prior to the activation time. The camera system can therefore transmit images of events leading up to an incident of interest. In addition, the width in time of the window typically need only be a few minutes and so the data storage capacity of the data storage device need not be large.
Preferably, the transmission device also transmits any new images stored by the data storage device after the transmission device has been switched to the active state.
The data storage device can deletes images which are older than the predetermined storage time.
Alternatively, the data storage device can overwrite images older than the predetermined storage time when new images for storage are received from the camera.
The camera can be a video camera.
The camera system can further comprise a microphone for recording sound, the transmission device being adapted to transmit the sound recording with the image.
Preferably, the camera and data storage device are connected together by a wireless link, more preferably a Bluetooth link.
Alternatively, the camera and data storage device are connected together by a wired link.
The data storage device and data transmission device can be connected together by a wireless link, preferably a Bluetooth link.
Alternatively, the data storage device and transmission device are connected together by a wired link.
The transmission device can be a mobile phone or PDA Preferably, the transmission system can be switched between inactive and active states by the camera.
The camera system can further comprise a connector for connecting the camera to an item of clothing, preferably a helmet.
The camera can be adapted to be connected to the ear of the user.
The present invention will now be described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows, in schematic form, an embodiment of a camera system according to the invention; and, Figure 2 shows the operation of the camera system of figure 1.
Shown in figure 1, in schematic form, is a camera system 1 according to the invention.
The camera system 1 comprises a video camera 2 which is adapted to be worn by a user, typically worn around the ear of a user. Images recorded by the camera 2 are transmitted by a wireless Bluetooth link 3 to a data storage device 4. Typically the video camera 2 is a digital camera and the storage device 4 digitally stores the images on a hard disk.
Also connected to the data storage device 2 is a microphone 5. In this embodiment the microphone 5 is connected to the data storage device 4 by a wired link 6. As the camera 2 records images the microphone 5 records sound and the two are stored together on the data storage device 4. The microphone 5 is typically worn on the users lapel.
The data storage device 4 is connected to a transmission device 7 by a wired link 8. The transmission device 7 is typically worn at the users waist or kept in a pocket. The data storage device 4 can be preprogrammed with a storage time 9, the function of which is explained below. This can be done by a control interface (not shown) on the transmission device 7 or alternatively on the storage device 4. In an alternative embodiment the data storage device 4 can be wirelessly programmed. In a further alternative embodiment the data storage device 4 is plugged into a computer (not shown) to be programmed. The transmission device 7 typically comprises a mobile phone or a PDA. In an alternative embodiment the transmission device 7 is a dedicated transmission device 7 for this application.
In use the camera 2 of the camera system 1 records video images which are stored along with a time stamp on the data storage device 4. Sound recordings made by the microphone 5 are also stored on the data storage device 4 with the video. When the user wishes to transmit images of an incident to a remote location the user switches the transmission device 7 from an inactive state in which it does not transmit to an active state. Typically this is done by pressing a button on the camera 2 which sends a signal to the transmission device 7. This could be direct to the transmission device 7 or in an alternative embodiment from the camera 2 to the data storage device 4 which in turn sends an activation signal to the transmission device 7.
Once the transmission device 7 has been activated it wirelessly transmits the images stored on the data storage device 4. Typically the images are stored at the remote location for later review. They may also be viewed live at the remote location.
The transmission device 7 transmits the images stored on the data storage device 4 having a time stamp which lies within a time window 10. The time window 10 extends from the time of activation 11 of the transmission device 7 backwards in time by an amount equal to the storage time 9. For example, if the predetermined storage time 9 is set to 500 seconds then on activation of the transmission device 7 the transmission device 7 transmits the previous 500 seconds of video and audio stored on the data storage device 4. This is shown schematically in figure 2.
Once the transmission device 7 is in the active state is also transmits images recorded by the camera going forward in time from the time of activation 11. These images can be stored on the data storage device 4. The transmission device 7 receives the images from the start of the time window 10 up to date so transmitting all the images in the time window 10 and any images stored thereafter. Once the data transmission device 7 has transmitted all the required images up to date any new images stored on the data storage device 4 are immediately transmitted by the transmission device 7.
In alternative embodiments more complex transmission schemes are possible. For example the transmission device 7 may interleave transmission of images recorded in the time window 10 from before the time of activation 11 with images recorded after the time of activation 11. In a further alternative embodiment the images recorded after the time of activation 11 are given transmission priority over the images stored at times in the time window 10. The images stored at a time in the time window 10 are only transmitted when there is spare transmission capacity.
A number of methods of storing images are possible in alternative embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment the data storage device 4 simply stores images until the data capacity of the data storage device 4 is reached. When new images are received the oldest image is overwritten. As the predetermined storage time 9 may be relatively short (of the order minutes for many applications) the storage capacity of the data storage device 4 need not be large. The data storage device 4 can therefore be small and lightweight. Because images older than the predetermined storage time 9 are not deleted until space is required on the disk, these images can also be transmitted if necessary.
Alternatively, once images are older than the predetermined storage time 9 they are deleted by the data storage device 4.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention the connection 3 between the camera 2 and the data storage device 4 is a wired link. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the connection 8 between the data storage device 4 and the transmission device 7 is a wireless link. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the connection between the microphone 5 and the data storage device 4 is a wireless link.
The camera 2 of the camera system 1 according to the invention can be clipped to the clothing of the user. Alternatively the camera 2 could be received within the hat of a user.
In a further alternative the camera 2 can comprise a portion of a piece of jewelry, for
example a necklace.
The camera system 1 according to the invention has a number of applications. For example, the camera system 1 finds particular application with members of the police and other emergency services who wish to record incidents. It could be used by members of the public travelling in potential areas of trouble, for example people making late night journeys. The camera system 1 could be installed in vehicles with the transmission device 7 being switched to the active state by a crash detector (for example an accelerometer).
The camera system I would then transmit the last few minutes of the users journey up to the crash. The camera system 1 could also include a GPS system and transmit the location of the crash along with the stored sound and images. A further use of the camera system 1 would be at social gatherings or business meetings where important points could be transmitted to a remote location for recordal without the need to record the entire meeting or gathering.
In all the above embodiments any wireless links are Bluetooth links. In alternative embodiments other types of wireless links are possible, for example Kleer. Wireless connections which compress andlor encrypt the data are possible.
Claims (15)
- CLAIMS1. A camera system, the camera system comprising a camera for recording images at spaced apart intervals in time; a data storage device connected to the camera for storing the images recorded by the camera; a transmission device connected to the data storage device and adapted to be switched between inactive and active states such that on switching to the active state the transmission device wirelessly transmits the images that have previously been stored by the data storage device in a time window, the time window extending from the time of activation backwards in time by a predetermined storage time.
- 2. A camera system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission device also transmits any new images stored by the data storage device after the transmission device has been switched to the active state.
- 3. A camera system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the data storage device deletes images which are older than the predetermined storage time.
- 4. A camera system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the data storage device overwrites images older than the predetermined storage time when new images for storage are received from the camera.
- 5. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the camera is a video camera.
- 6. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the camera system further comprises a microphone for recording sound, the transmission device being adapted to transmit the sound recording with the image.
- 7. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the camera and data storage device are connected together by a wireless link, preferably a Bluetooth link.
- 8. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the camera and data storage device are connected together by a wired link.
- 9. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the data storage device and data transmission device are connected together by a wireless link, preferably a Bluetooth link.
- 10. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the data storage device and data transmission device are connected together by a wired link.
- 11. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims I to 10, wherein the transmission device is a mobile phone or PDA
- 12. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transmission system can be switched between inactive and active states by the camera.
- 13. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising a connector for connecting the camera to an item of clothing, preferably a helmet.
- 14. A camera system as claimed in any one of claims I to 12, wherein the camera is adapted to be connected to the ear of the user.
- 15. A camera system substantially as hereinbefore described.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0810935A GB2461022A (en) | 2008-06-16 | 2008-06-16 | Recording camera system that transmits stored images |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0810935A GB2461022A (en) | 2008-06-16 | 2008-06-16 | Recording camera system that transmits stored images |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0810935D0 GB0810935D0 (en) | 2008-07-23 |
| GB2461022A true GB2461022A (en) | 2009-12-23 |
Family
ID=39672306
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0810935A Withdrawn GB2461022A (en) | 2008-06-16 | 2008-06-16 | Recording camera system that transmits stored images |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2461022A (en) |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH11275422A (en) * | 1998-03-23 | 1999-10-08 | Atsushi Takahashi | Eyeglass type magnifier monitor recorder with visual indication device |
| WO2005081529A1 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2005-09-01 | Safecam Pty. Limited | Camera system |
| JP2005316883A (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-10 | Funai Electric Co Ltd | Remote watching system and terminal equipment for use in the same |
| JP2006311114A (en) * | 2005-04-27 | 2006-11-09 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Wireless-adaptable interphone system |
| US20070159323A1 (en) * | 2006-01-12 | 2007-07-12 | Alfred Gerhold Rockefeller | Surveillance device by use of digital cameras linked to a cellular or wireless telephone |
| JP2007286269A (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-11-01 | Shikoku Res Inst Inc | Head-mounted infrared image viewing apparatus |
| JP2008044548A (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-28 | Jr Higashi Nippon Consultants Kk | Image transmission device for railroad vehicle, and emergency braking image checking system |
-
2008
- 2008-06-16 GB GB0810935A patent/GB2461022A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH11275422A (en) * | 1998-03-23 | 1999-10-08 | Atsushi Takahashi | Eyeglass type magnifier monitor recorder with visual indication device |
| WO2005081529A1 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2005-09-01 | Safecam Pty. Limited | Camera system |
| JP2005316883A (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-10 | Funai Electric Co Ltd | Remote watching system and terminal equipment for use in the same |
| JP2006311114A (en) * | 2005-04-27 | 2006-11-09 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Wireless-adaptable interphone system |
| US20070159323A1 (en) * | 2006-01-12 | 2007-07-12 | Alfred Gerhold Rockefeller | Surveillance device by use of digital cameras linked to a cellular or wireless telephone |
| JP2007286269A (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-11-01 | Shikoku Res Inst Inc | Head-mounted infrared image viewing apparatus |
| JP2008044548A (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-28 | Jr Higashi Nippon Consultants Kk | Image transmission device for railroad vehicle, and emergency braking image checking system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0810935D0 (en) | 2008-07-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |