WO2015001400A1

WO2015001400A1 - A triggering system

Info

Publication number: WO2015001400A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/061344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erkan YIGITER; Onur CELIK; Ali Emir BAYRAKTAR
Original assignee: Eron Elektronik Bilgisayar Ve Yazilim Sanayi Tic. Ltd. Sti.
Priority date: 2013-07-03
Filing date: 2013-12-26
Publication date: 2015-01-08

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) which enables to trigger output devices (8) such as camera, video camera or external flash by detecting instantaneous events via internal sensor unit (2) and/or external sensors (H) and evaluating the events according to certain rules. The said system (1) comprises; sensor unit (2), external sensor connection unit (3), timer (4), control and triggering unit (5), storage (51), communication unit (6), management unit (7), output device (8), output device connection unit (9).

Description

A TRIGGERING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention is related to a system which enables to trigger output devices such as camera, video camera or external flash by detecting instantaneous events via internal sensor unit and/or external sensors and evaluating the events according to certain rules.

Background of the Invention

In state of art, there are various cameras and video camera devices that have advanced features to record images of environment, events and objects and that are triggered generally by a user, a timer or a remote triggering device and these devices are being used with a rapidly increasing rate day by day.

However, it is not very easy to capture and record some instantaneous events occurred in nature or in daily life via human reflex and mentioned cameras, video cameras or triggering devices. Furthermore; besides of instantaneous events, for events that occurs after a certain length of time (for example when temperature exceeds 40 C), a person has to wait next to the recording device or another device that will remotely trigger mentioned device during this length of time even if human reflex is sufficient.

Aforementioned necessities present the need to develop various systems and methods in order that insufficiencies related to human reflex and detection of events do not prevent capturing images. In state of art, there are different kinds of systems and methods which are developed for this purpose. However, these systems and methods trigger output device by only using analog or digital data received from different types of sensors and controlling the data based on predetermined threshold values. As it is understood, within these systems and methods, a user intervention to scenarios and threshold values that enable controlling of data received from sensors, adding new sensors, in short a customization on system by user is not possible.

Moreover, in these existing systems and methods, there is not any complex event processing feature (for example simultaneous interpretation of data received from multiple sensors or starting to consider data received from another sensor after data is received from a sensor and a certain time determined by timer has elapsed), which enables more than one event in environment is interpreted together.

US patent document no. US2012242844, an application in the state of the art, discloses an automatic photo capture and management system. US patent document no. US6243242, another application in the state of the art, discloses an apparatus that enables to take photo by triggering camera in intense light variations such as lightning or thunderbolt.

European patent document no. EP2570723, another application in the state of the art, discloses a bulb which comprises an infrared sensor and camera. By means of said bulb and related units of it, bulb starts shining when an infrared light source is present and camera captures image at the same time.

International patent document no. WO2013033480, another application in the state of the art, discloses a system and a method which enables automatic photo capturing when predetermined conditions are satisfied by a mobile electronic device.

Summary of the Invention An objective of the present invention is to realize a system which enables to trigger output devices such as camera or external flash by detecting instantaneous events via internal sensor units or external sensors that are connected to external sensor connection unit and evaluating the events according to certain rules.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a system which enables using periodic outputs received from an internal or an external timer to measure time and triggering remote devices after a time length that is determined by user or mentioned in the scenario.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a system which enables a user to conduct managing activities such as adding, deleting or editing activities via management unit on scenarios and threshold values in storage within control and triggering unit.

Description of the Invention

"A Triggering System" realized to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which;

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of inventive system.

The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. System

2. Sensor unit

3. External sensor connection unit

4. Timer

5. Control and triggering unit 51. Storage

6. Communication unit

7. Management unit

8 Output device

9. Output device connection unit

H. External sensor

K. User

A system (1) which enables to trigger output devices comprises:

at least one sensor unit (2) which enables to detect the outer environment and variations in the environment,

at least one external sensor connection unit (3) which enables to use external sensors (H) for detection of outer environment and variations in the environment, at least one timer (4) which periodically provides output and which enables measurement of time lengths,

at least one control and triggering unit (5) which receives data from one of, any two of or all of the sensor unit (2), if present external sensors (H) that is connected with external sensor connection unit (3) and timer (4), controls these data based on scenarios and threshold values and provides output for triggering operation if triggering should occur after the control,

at least one storage (51) which exists within control and triggering unit (5) and stores scenarios and threshold values,

at least one communication unit (6) which enables control and triggering unit (5) to perform data transfer for managing purposes,

at least one management unit (7) which enables control and triggering unit (5) to be managed by user (K) on issues such as scenarios and threshold values and which performs data transfer with control and triggering unit (5) via communication unit (6), at least one output device (8) which is the device that is triggered when control and triggering unit (5) decides to trigger as the result of controlling scenarios and threshold values,

at least one physical or wireless output device connection unit (9) which enables transmission of triggering command from control and triggering unit (5) to output device (8) (Figure 1).

Sensor unit (2) is the unit which enables detection of outer environment and variations in the environment. Multiple sensor units (2) can be present within system (1) to detect different conditions of the environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, sensor unit (2) is light sensor which detects light level of the environment. In another embodiment of the present invention, sensor unit (2) is sound sensor which detects sound level of the environment. In another embodiment of the present invention, sensor unit (2) is pressure sensor which can detect pressure of the environment or applied pressure. In another embodiment of the present invention, sensor unit (2) is temperature sensor which detects temperature of the environment. In another embodiment of the present invention, sensor unit (2) is humidity sensor which detects humidity rate of the environment. In another embodiment of the present invention, sensor unit (2) is motion sensor which detects a moving object in the environment. In various embodiments of the present invention, sensor unit (2) can be an analog or a digital sensor.

External sensor connection unit (3) is the unit which enables usage of external sensors (H) for detection of outer environment and variations in the environment and which establishes connection between external sensors (H) and control and triggering unit (5) for mentioned purpose. External sensor connection unit (3) can establish connection between external sensor (H), which can detect light, sound, pressure, humidity, temperature, motion, and control and triggering unit (5). External sensor connection unit (3) can establish connections of both analog and digital external sensors (H). Timer (4) is the external or internal unit which periodically provides output to control and triggering unit (5) and which enables to measure time lengths. Control and triggering unit (5) is the unit which receives data from one of, any two of or all of the sensor unit (2), if present external sensors (H) that is connected with external sensor connection unit (3) and timer (4), and controls these data based on scenarios and threshold values and provides output for triggering operation to output device (8) via output device connection unit (9) if triggering should occur after the control. Control and triggering unit (5) is the unit which can be managed by user (K) on issues such as scenarios and threshold values by using management unit (7) via communication unit (6). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, control and triggering unit (5) is a microcontroller. Besides of scenarios which consists of controlling a single event in the environment, control and triggering unit (5) is structured to execute complex scenarios which needs controlling of multiple events in the environment simultaneously or in sequence by considering their relations with each other.

Storage (51) is the unit which exists within control and triggering unit (5) and stores scenarios and threshold values. In an embodiment of the present invention, storage (51) stores scenarios and threshold values that are embedded to control and triggering unit (5). In another embodiment of the present invention, storage (51) keeps scenarios and threshold values which user (K) provides to control and triggering unit (5) via management unit (7). Scenarios within storage (51) can be scenarios that require data received from one or more sensor units (2) and/or external sensors (H) that are connected to one or more external sensor connection units (3) and/or one or more timer (4) to be controlled.

Communication unit (6) is the unit which enables control and triggering unit (5) to perform data transfer with management unit (7) for managing purposes. Communication unit (6) is the unit which specifies according to communication structure of management unit (7). In an embodiment of the present invention, communication unit (6) is Bluetooth module. In another embodiment of the present invention, communication unit (6) is a wireless communication module that provides Wi-Fi Direct connection. In another embodiment of the present invention, communication unit (6) is cables that are appropriate to provide data transfer between control and triggering unit (5) and management unit (7).

Management unit (7) is the unit which enables control and triggering unit (5) to be managed by user (K) on issues such as scenarios and threshold values and performs data transfer with control and triggering unit (5) via communication unit (6). In an embodiment of the present invention, management unit (7) is a mobile device. In another embodiment of the present invention, management unit (7) is a management device which has a display that provides interface to user (K) and physical or touch-operated keys that enables user (K) to provide input.

Output device (8) is the device that is triggered when control and triggering unit (5) decides to trigger as the result of controlling scenarios and threshold values. In various embodiments of the present invention, output device (8) is one of devices such as camera device, video camera or external flash. In another embodiment of the present invention, output device (8) is a remote triggering device that enables to trigger camera, video camera, external flash devices remotely.

Output device connection unit (9) is the unit which enables transmission of triggering command from control and triggering unit (5) to output device (8). Output device connection unit (9) is a physical or a wireless unit. Output device connection unit (9) is a unit which specifies according to communication structure of output device. In an embodiment of the present invention, output device connection unit (9) is Bluetooth module. In another embodiment of the present invention, output device connection unit (9) is a wireless communication module that provides Wi-Fi Direct connection. In another embodiment of the present invention, output device connection unit (9) is cables that are appropriate to provide data transfer between control and triggering unit (5) and output device (8). In another embodiment of the present invention, output device connection unit (9) is infrared transmitter which provides data transfer between control and triggering unit (5) and output device (8).

In the inventive system (1), it is realized that output devices such as camera or external flash are triggered by detecting instantaneous events via sensor unit (2) and external sensors that are connected to external sensor connection unit (3) and by evaluating the events according to certain rules. During aforementioned processes, data received from at least one sensor unit (2) and/or external sensor that is connected to external sensor connection unit (3) and/or at least one timer (4) are controlled by control and triggering unit (5) according to scenarios and threshold values stored in storage (51). Scenario and threshold values that are kept in storage (51) within control and triggering unit (5) can be either data pre- embedded to control and triggering unit (5) or scenario and threshold values that user (K) inputs to control and triggering unit (5) via management unit (7). Management of control and triggering unit (5) and its storage (51) can be operated by user (5) via using management unit (7). Data transfer between control and triggering unit (5) and management unit (7) is established via communication unit (6). Control and triggering unit (5) triggers output device (8) via output device communication unit (9) if it decides that a trigger to trigger output device (8) should occur as result of control according to scenario and threshold values.

In inventive system (1) it is also realized that output periodically received from timer (4) is used for time measurement and triggering of remote devices (8) according to a time length that is determined by user (K) or that is appropriate with scenario. During mentioned process, control and triggering unit (5) receives output that timer (4) provides periodically. If user (K) request for triggering operation to occur after a certain time length is transmitted to control and triggering unit (5) via management unit (7), periodic outputs received from timer (4) are used by control and triggering unit (5) in order to understand whether a certain time length has passed or not and if the certain time length has passed, control and triggering unit (5) transmits triggering command to output device (8) via output device connection unit (9). Furthermore, within any scenarios if there exists a necessity to transmit triggering command to output device (8) from control and triggering unit (5) after a certain time from an event detected from any sensor units (2) or any external sensors (H) that are connected to external sensor connection unit (3), periodic outputs received from timer (4) are used by control and triggering unit (5) in order to understand whether a certain time has passed or not and if certain time has passed, control and triggering unit (5) transmits triggering command to output device (8) via output device connection unit (9). Inventive system (1) further enables user (K) to perform managing activities such as adding, removing or editing on scenarios and threshold values in storage (51) within control and triggering unit (5) via management unit (7). During mentioned operation, user (K) is able to display, edit, remove or add new present scenarios and threshold values via interface and input units that management unit (7) provides. If management unit (7) that is provided to user (K) consists of a display and a touch-operated or physical keypad that enables user (K) to provide input, user (K) displays interface of management unit (7) in display and performs managing operations with the help of this interface through keypad. If management unit (7) provided to user (K) is a mobile device that has a management application on it, user (K) displays interface of management unit (7) in display and performs managing operations by using input units that mobile device provides.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive system (1), the system (1) can be used to take photos such as lightning or strike which are not easy to be captured with human reflexes. Accordingly, in storage (51) within control and triggering unit (5), a scenario and associated threshold values which are about triggering command to be sent by control and triggering unit (5) to output device (8) just after data related to detection of very intense light in the environment is received from sensor unit (2) which is light sensor, can be found either embedded or taught by user (K) via management unit (7) to control and triggering unit (5). In this situation, system (1) enables to capture lightning or strike photo that is difficult to capture with human reflex.

When monitoring motions of wild animals at night is considered in this example, after a certain time that sensor unit (2) which is light sensor determines that light in the environment is below a certain threshold value, it is possible to start considering data received from sensor unit (2) which is motion sensor. Whether a certain time has passed or not can be determined by control and triggering unit (5) by considering outputs that timer (4) periodically provides. After it is determined that it is night time as result of data received from light sensor, the situation about whether there exists any motion above a certain threshold value or not is determined by sensor unit (2) which is motion sensor. A scenario and associated threshold values which enables a triggering command to be sent by control and triggering unit (5) to output device (8) just after this situation occurs, can be found either embedded within microcontroller or in storage (51) taught by user (K) via management unit (7) to control and triggering unit (5).

In a similar exemplary embodiment of inventive system (1), scenario and associated threshold values which enables a triggering command to be sent by control and triggering unit (5) to output device (8) at the time instant when intensity of an event such as light diminishes (passing below a predetermined threshold value), for example laser beam is stopped to be reflected on to sensor unit (2) which is light sensor, instead of a the time instant when intensity of said event increases (passing above a predetermined threshold value), can be present in storage (51) and these mentioned scenario and threshold values controlled by control and triggering unit (5).

Claims

1. A system (1) which enables to trigger comprising

- at least one sensor unit (2) which enables to detect outer environment and variations in the environment,

- at least one external sensor connection unit (3) which enables to use external sensors (H) for detection of outer environment and variations in the environment,

- at least one timer (4) which periodically provides output and which enables measurement of time lengths,

- at least one control and triggering unit (5) which provides output for triggering operation,

- at least one storage (51) which exists within control and triggering unit (5),

- at least one communication unit (6) which enables control and triggering unit (5) to perform data transfer for managing purposes,

- at least one management unit (7) which enables management of control and triggering unit (5),

- at least one output device (8) which is the device that is triggered when control and triggering unit (5) decides to trigger as the result of controlling scenarios and threshold values,

- at least one physical or wireless output device connection unit (9) which enables transmission of triggering command from control and triggering unit (5) to output device (8),

and characterized by

- at least one control and triggering unit (5) which receives data from one of, any two of or all of the sensor unit (2), if present external sensors (H) that is connected with external sensor connection unit (3) and timer (4), controls these data based on scenarios and threshold values and provides output for triggering operation if triggering should occur after the control,

- at least one storage (51) which exists within control and triggering unit (5) and stores scenarios and threshold values,

- at least one management unit (7) which enables control and triggering unit (5) to be managed by user (K) on issues such as scenarios and threshold values and which performs data transfer with control and triggering unit (5) via communication unit (6).

2. A system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is light sensor.

3. A system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is sound sensor.

4. A system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is pressure sensor.

5. A system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is temperature sensor.

6. A system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is humidity sensor.

7. A system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is motion sensor.

8. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is an analog sensor.

9. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 7, characterized by sensor unit (2) which is a digital sensor.

10. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by external sensor connection unit (3) which establishes connection between external sensors (H) and control and triggering unit (5).

11. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by external sensor connection unit (3) which establishes connection between control and triggering unit (5) and external sensors (H) which can detect light, sound, pressure, humidity, temperature, motion.

12. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by external sensor connection unit (3) which establishes connection of analog external sensors (H).

13. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by external sensor connection unit (3) which establishes connection of digital external sensors (H).

14. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by control and triggering unit (5) which triggers output device (8) via output device communication unit (9) if it decides that it is needed to trigger output device (8) as result of control.

15. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control and triggering unit (5) which is a microcontroller.

16. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control and triggering unit (5) which is structured to execute complex scenarios which needs controlling of multiple events in the environment simultaneously or in sequence by considering their relations with each other.

17. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a storage (51) which stores scenario and threshold values provided by user (K) to control and triggering unit (5) via management unit (7).

18. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a storage (51) which stores scenarios that require data received from one or more sensor units (2) and/or external sensors (H) that are connected to one or more external sensor connection units (3) and/or one or more timer (4) to be controlled.

19. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a communication unit (6) which is Bluetooth module.

20. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 18, characterized by a communication unit (6) which is a wireless communication module that provides Wi-Fi Direct connection.

21. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 18, characterized by a communication unit (6) which is cables that are appropriate to provide data transfer between control and triggering unit (5) and management unit (7).

22. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a management unit (7) which is a mobile device that has a management application on it.

23. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 21, characterized by a management unit (7) which is a management device that has a display that provides interface to user (K) and physical or touch-operated keys that enables user (K) to provide input.

24. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an output device (8) which is camera.

25. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 23, characterized by an output device (8) which is video camera.

26. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 23, characterized by an output device (8) which is external flash.

27. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 23, characterized by an output device (8) which is a remote triggering device that enables triggering of camera, video camera, external flash devices

28. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an output device connection unit (9) which is Bluetooth module.

29. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 27, characterized by an output device connection unit (9) which is a wireless communication module that provides Wi-Fi Direct connection.

30. A system (1) according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 27, characterized by an output device connection unit (9) which is cables that are appropriate to provide data transfer between control and triggering unit (5) and output device (8)