WO2017216604A1

WO2017216604A1 - Digital image and data transmission device to supplement image recording devices

Info

Publication number: WO2017216604A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/053491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bela Peter GYORKE
Original assignee: Human Aspektus Kft
Priority date: 2016-06-14
Filing date: 2016-06-14
Publication date: 2017-12-21

Abstract

The invention is a digital image and data transmission device, expediently to supplement image recording devices. It is characterized in that it is fitted with a case (1), a cable (7), and a camera interface (3), and it includes a central control unit (2) running a custom operation system, a memory unit (4), an RF transmitter (6), a compass unit (9), a geolocator unit (5), and a mobile device providing Internet connection (8).

Description

DIGITAL IMAGE AND DATA TRANSMISSION DEVICE TO SUPPLEMENT

IMAGE RECORDING DEVICES

The subject of the invention is a digital image and data transmission device, expediently to supplement image recording devices.

The complex device presented in the description is capable of connecting to professional imaging devices and can add information to the images "on-the-fly" that the user would not be otherwise able to transmit in a single step. The image taken by the professional camera can store fundamental data at this time. Such fundamental data include the date and time of taking the image, which data can be extracted from the camera settings by the image, and geolocation data when using certain camera types. However, most current cameras are not unable to process the latter data. Also, less complex cameras are certainly unable to process information provided by environmental sensors. This invention is capable of displaying any kind of information on the image itself, which accelerates the speed of data processing radically.

Let us take a simple example. An unexpected event occurs in a facility (any kind of real property, office building, premises etc.). The security guard, or an employee with limited experience in security issues, arrives at the location and may easily fail to notice numerous minor details. This invention is capable being connected to any camera type. The person appearing at the location has nothing else to do than connecting this invention to the camera on the site (this activity may be even fully automated). The device transmits the images to the central server through the integrated 4G interface. All data the small device is capable of measuring is transmitted automatically, even if only a "not smart" camera is available, including the position of the camera (geolocation), the direction of taking the image (cardinal direction), and the server time of taking the image (it is not a problem if the clock of the camera is not set). The server-side component identifies the exact location and the direction of taking the image within a fraction of a second, and also identifies "environmental objects" on the image on the basis of internal map information stored in the database. On the basis of the perfectly accurate time stamp, it extracts all data measured at the location from the database: which doors and windows are open or closed, temperature, power use, water and gas consumption at the time etc. It is capable of placing all these information in small and clearly visible "boxes" on the image. If the given object has a distinctive image, it also displays the dominant visual components of that image (e.g. logo of an office building). Thus, the image is turned into a gold mine of visual information for the experts: all information is present and ready for viewing on a single image. In a crisis situation, this may save minutes during decision making, thereby possibly saving even lives. The image may be sent to various organisations, contracted partners, decision-makers, security experts with different contents (e.g. emergency service and police officers need different information) .

The following known solutions belong to the state of the art. At this time, imaging devices are capable of providing the image itself and the date and time in a reliable manner. Geolocation related information may be extracted, depending on the fixed camera. However, the images can hold visual information only. Supplementary information (which is often even more important) cannot be placed onto the image automatically, according to the state of the art. Hence, when information is displayed to a security professional on an image, the other necessary pieces of information need to be obtained from various surfaces and using different means, often taking a long time. The possible range of important basic information include:

• Temperature (possibly if there is a fire in the next room)

• Current water consumption (is there a burst water main)

• Current gas consumption (is there a leakage)

• Position of doors and windows (if they are open, the sequence of opening them, has possibly an illegal entering taken place, the movement of the intruder may be determined from time series data)

• Movement sensor data (which objects were moved by the intruder)

• Exact location based on devices and plans stored in the system

• Identified measuring devices, tools in the room

• Other specific data regarding the property While most imaging devices produce visual data, there are two types of such devices according to their operation:

• Devices capable of recording videos: devices of this kind are used in most facilities. A common feature of such devices is the poor image quality. Experts often make a compromise regarding the quality to accelerate the transmission process.

• Devices capable of recording still images: these devices are capable of recording still images only, which means that several pieces of information may be lost, while the image quality is much better. The purpose of the invention is to eliminate the shortfalls of the known solutions and to implement a small and cheap device that can be connected to any camera and can transmit data automatically and within a short time.

The inventive step is based on the recognition that we can achieve an invention that is more advantageous than the earlier ones if we implement the device according to claim 1.

In line with the set objective, claim 1 describes the most general implementation form of the solution according to the invention. The various implementation forms are descried in the sub-claims.

In general, the solution is a digital image and data transmission device, expediently to supplement image recording devices. A feature of the invention is that it is fitted with a case, a cable, and a camera interface, and it includes a central control unit running a custom operation system, a central memory unit, an RF transmitter, a compass unit, a geolocator unit, and a mobile device providing Internet connection. In another implementation form, it may also have a local or cloud-based central server.

The invention is presented in more detail on the basis of a drawing. Figure 1 on the attached drawing shows the structure of the device. Figure 1 shows the structure of the device and the principles of connecting the components. The case 1 holds the device together and, due to its special printed form, it fits into the shape of the external camera, it is advantageously made of 3D printed plastic. The platform holds the central control unit 2, which provides overall control and task execution. The central memory unit 4, also known as RAM, stores the data to be processed temporarily, which include the followings: the image taken by the camera and transmitted through the cable 7, in a format encoded by the camera interface 3, the geolocation information provided by the geolocator unit 5, and the angular position and direction data provided by the compass unit 9. Advantageously, the compass unit 9 also includes a gyroscope. The central control unit 2 transfer the data record, holding the above information in a data vector, to the RF transmitter 6. The system sends it to its own central server 10 wirelessly using the exclusive Internet channel provided by the mobile device providing Internet connection 8. The image received by the central server 10 reads the necessary information from the smart home server 11 based on the time stamp sent by the mobile unit. An algorithm running on this device receives and places the information onto the image, and sends it to the set addresses through various channels (CHI, CH2, ... CHn) and protocols. Different facilities, security services, and users may use rather different types of cameras. This invention fits the lower part of the selected camera perfectly, so that it is, for all practical purposes, a tight extension of the camera case. Information regarding the dimensions and shapes of the various cameras are available, meaning that designing a case 1 for a new camera type may be done in a few minutes by setting a few parameters in the software of the system. Printing the design using a 3D printer can be done in 2 to 3 hours. It may be printed in a coloured version and may also bear the flag or logo of the owner. A small screen (10X6 mm) may be fitted onto the outside of the case 1, so that the status of the system can be checked at any time. The ON/OFF button is printed separately and it may have an absolutely unique shape. Among others, commercially available Edison microcomputers may be used as the central control unit 2 and the central memory unit 4. The compass unit 9, geolocator unit 5, and RF transmitter 6 are also commercially available micro-sized devices that are connected to the central unit according to our own designs. The camera interface 3 is implemented according to our own designs. The main features of the invention include that a device, which can be carried in hand easily, is connected to the camera that can take pictures of the site easily. The device does not need to be held separately, meaning that it fits into the shape of the camera perfectly. The device is not exposed to direct sunlight because of using the case 1. The position at the grip is not disturbing and does not make the circumstances worse. The essence of the digital image and data transmission device, which operates in a closed, damage free case 1 designed to fit into the hand of the user and to the camera, is that the RF transmitter 6 is capable of transmitting to the central server 10 the image taken by the digital camera connected to the device, the time of taking the image (server time, which is provided by the data of the mobile device providing Internet connection 8 and is processed by the central control unit 2 in the central memory unit 4), the data provided by the geolocator unit 5, and the data provided by the compass unit 9, as a data vector.

The described invention has numerous advantages. It is extremely cheap, does not include any moving part, meaning that there is only a minimal risk of malfunction, taking into account the possibly extreme circumstances. An advantage is that the device needs a small space only (palm sized) and it is very light (due to the fast movements), it can be easily reproduced, the shape of the case can be changed easily, and it is easy to add additional devices to it. Another advantage of the invention is that it can operate independently from any connection to the Internet, and the good quality images (above 200-300 dpi) can be transmitted quickly. The transmission and data processing is very fast, the user can see a real time image of the site, and another advantage is that the device can be modified easily and at a low cost to meet specific needs.

In addition to the above examples, the invention may be implemented in other forms and with other production processes within the scope of protection.

Claims

1. Digital image and data transmission device, expediently to supplement image recording devices, characterized in that it is fitted with a case (1), a cable (7), and a camera interface (3), and it includes a central control unit (2) running a custom operation system, a memory unit (4), an RF transmitter (6), a compass unit (9), a geolocator unit (5), and a mobile device providing Internet connection (8).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a local or cloud-based central server (10).