U.S. patent application number 15/062867 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for wearable imaging sensor with wireless remote communications.
This patent application is currently assigned to Intel Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Intel Corporation. Invention is credited to Sairam Agraharam, John S. Guzek, Christopher J. Jezewski, Ravi Pillarisetty.
Application Number | 20160183604 15/062867 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50911843 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160183604 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pillarisetty; Ravi ; et
al. |
June 30, 2016 |
WEARABLE IMAGING SENSOR WITH WIRELESS REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS
Abstract
A wearable image sensor is described. In one example an
apparatus includes a camera attached to a garment to capture an
image of a view of an area surrounding a user that is wearing the
garment, the image including an item. A data interface is attached
to the garment and coupled to the camera to send the camera image
to an external device and to receive description information about
the item from the external device. A power supply is attached to
the garment and coupled to the camera and the data interface to
power the camera and the data interface. The apparatus presents the
received description information to a user of the garment.
Inventors: |
Pillarisetty; Ravi;
(Portland, OR) ; Agraharam; Sairam; (Chandler,
AZ) ; Guzek; John S.; (Chandler, AZ) ;
Jezewski; Christopher J.; (Hillsboro, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Intel Corporation |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Intel Corporation
Santa Clara
CA
|
Family ID: |
50911843 |
Appl. No.: |
15/062867 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13717254 |
Dec 17, 2012 |
|
|
|
15062867 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/36 ;
348/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/58 20190101;
H04N 5/232933 20180801; H04N 5/23293 20130101; H04N 2101/00
20130101; H04N 5/23238 20130101; H04N 5/44 20130101; A41D 1/002
20130101; H04N 5/225 20130101; G06K 9/6215 20130101; H04N 5/2252
20130101; H04N 5/23206 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30; H04N 5/44 20060101
H04N005/44; G06K 9/62 20060101 G06K009/62; H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225; H04N 5/232 20060101 H04N005/232 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a camera attached to a garment to
capture an image of a view of an area surrounding a user that is
wearing the garment, the image including an item; a data interface
attached to the garment and coupled to the camera to send the
camera image to an external device and to receive description
information about the item from the external device; and a power
supply attached to the garment and coupled to the camera and the
data interface to power the camera and the data interface, wherein
the apparatus presents the received description information to a
user of the garment.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera has a panoramic
field of view.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the camera has a 180 degree
horizontal field of view.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data interface is an optic
fiber interface coupled to a local processing device.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the local processing device is
a separate mobile device.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data interface is a
wireless interface through a mobile device and the external device
is a remote server.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor and
image recognition software to process a sequence of images captured
by the camera and to select an image in the sequence that shows a
significant change from an image before the selected image and
wherein the data interface is to send the selected image to the
external device.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled
to the data interface to present the received description
information to the user.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a handheld device
with a wireless connection to the data interface and wherein the
handheld device comprises the display.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handheld device comprises
a long range radio and wherein the data interface sends to the
external device through the long range radio of the handheld
device.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus presents the
received description information as sound.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the description information
is historical and status information about the item.
13. An imaging and communication system comprising: a camera
attached to a garment to capture images of a view of an area
surrounding a user that is wearing the garment, the images
including an item, and to send the images through a short range
wireless interface; a handheld device having a data interface to
receive the images from the camera through the short range wireless
interface; a processor of the handheld device coupled to the data
interface; a long range wireless interface of the handheld coupled
to the processor to send the images to an external device and to
receive description information about the item from the external
device; and a display of the handheld device to present the
received description information.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a control interface
of the handheld device coupled to the display to allow user control
of the displayed information.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the description information is
historical and status information about the item.
16. A method comprising: capturing an image in a camera attached to
a garment, the image including an item; sending the image to an
external device for analysis; receiving description information
about the item from the external device; and presenting the
received description information to a user of the garment.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein sending the image comprises
sending the image to a local portable device and the local portable
device sending the image to a remote server.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the local portable device is
also attached to the garment.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein presenting the received
description information comprises presenting information about the
item on a display of the local portable device
20. The method of claim 16, wherein sending the image further
comprises sending additional information about the image including
time and location.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of prior U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/717,254, filed Dec. 17, 2012,
entitled Wearable Imaging Sensor for Communications, by Ravi
Pillarisetty, et al., the priority of which is hereby claimed and
the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD
[0002] The present description relates to wearable sensors and in
particular to a wearable camera capable of connection to display
and information systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A variety of applications have developed that allows
smartphone users to use the built-in cameras that are included in
many such phones. In some cases, data from the camera is sent by
the smartphone to servers for some purpose. As examples of using a
camera, the phone may be used to send images to friends, upload
pictures to social networking or photo sharing sites, or to find
product information using a camera image of a Quick Response
Code.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
similar elements.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wearable camera as part of a
garment and a mobile computer system according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a wearable camera and a mobile
computer system as part of a garment according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a signaling diagram of sending an image to a
server through a portable device according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram of sending an image to a
server according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a signaling diagram of sending an image to a
server and receiving information at a portable device according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 6A is a top elevation view of a camera module with a
horizontal panoramic field of view suitable for use with the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the camera module of FIG.
6A.
[0012] FIG. 7A is a top elevation view of a camera sensor system
with multiple camera modules suitable for use with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the camera sensor system of
FIG. 7A.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a processing system suitable
for use with a camera sensor according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 9A is a process flow diagram of a first usage scenario
according to an embodiment of the invention
[0016] FIG. 9B is a process flow diagram of a second usage scenario
according to an embodiment of the invention
[0017] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computing device according
to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Wearable technology can extend mobile computer usage beyond
its current state. When a sensor is integrated into a mobile
device, the user may be required to hold the device one way to
image an object and a different way to use the device. In addition,
because sensors, such as cameras are directional with a limited
field of view typically 30 to 70 degrees horizontal, the camera can
only capture a limited view of the area surrounding a user, not a
full 180 degrees around the consumer. Even the limited directional
view can only be captured when the camera is held in a particular
way.
[0019] By mounting, attaching, integrating, or embedding the camera
into a shirt, hat, or pants, all objects in front of the user may
be sensed, imaged, and captured in a panoramic 180 degree visual
plane. The sensor element may be integrated into clothing either as
an attachable element such as a pin or as a semi-permanent attached
element.
[0020] The cameras or sensors may then transfer the image to the
user's handheld or other type of mobile device. In one embodiment,
the sensor may be equipped with circuitry and a wireless antenna to
transmit data to a mobile device. In another example, the sensor
may be equipped with fiber optic ports to seamlessly transfer data
at a high rate of speed to the mobile device. The captured images
may then be used with image recognition software to help improve
the overall mobile experience of the user.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wearable camera and computer system
according to an embodiment of the invention. A garment 10, for
example a shirt, carries a camera sensor 12 that is coupled through
a wire interface 14 to an electronic device on the garment. The
electronic device may include a system on a chip 16 coupled to a
battery 18 or other type of power supply and an antenna 20 for
external communications. The camera sensor 12 captures images and
conveys them through the wired connection 14 to a data interface of
the system on a chip 16. The wired connection may be electrical,
optical, or wireless. The wire may be embedded into the garment or
separate from the garment and attached to the garment.
[0022] The data interface of the system on a chip 16 receives the
images and processes them depending on the particular application.
The external antenna 20 allows the processor to communicate with
external devices 22 such as a smartphone, tablet, external
computer, wearable computer, or data relay terminal. In the example
of FIG. 1 the external device is a smartphone with a user interface
24, a display 26, and an external antenna 28 for communication with
the wearable camera system 20 and with external servers (not
shown).
[0023] While the processing resources 16 and power supply 18 are
shown as being separate and apart from the camera module 12, this
is not required. All components may be integrated into a single
camera module which transmits information directly to an external
device. The images captured by the camera may be further processed
by the camera module 20 or by the connected processor 16.
Alternatively, raw image data may be sent directly to an external
device 22 for processing.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an alternative implementation integrated with a
garment 30, in this case a shirt. However any other suitable
garment may be used including a blouse, a jacket, a coat, a hat, or
pants. The garment has a camera module 32 in the shape of a shirt
button which is sewn onto the garment in a conventional manner. The
camera module is connected through a communication link 34 which
may be electrical or optical or wireless to a processing system
that includes a system on a chip 36 and a power supply 38.
[0025] The processing module is also coupled to a display 42 which,
in this case, is connected or embedded into a sleeve of the shirt.
The display may be a touch screen display or it may include user
interface buttons that allow the user to view the display and send
commands and instructions from the display or associated components
42 back to the processing system 36. In this example the shirt 30
is a wearable computer with an awareness of its surrounding
environment through the camera module 32.
[0026] While only one camera module is shown in the examples of
FIGS. 1 and 2, additional camera modules may be provided in other
positions on the garment. Using a front facing camera as shown, the
imaging system is provided with an awareness of the surrounding
conditions in front of the user which is the direction in which the
user is usually headed. This allows the system to provide the user
with information about what is in the user's path.
[0027] The camera 12, 32 and SOC 16, 36 may be embedded into or
incorporated into or attached to the garment in any of a variety of
different ways. They may be connected using a pin through the
fabric of the garment so that the camera may easily be removed and
then attached to other garments. Straps and belts may alternatively
be used. Similarly hook and loop fasteners may be used to hold the
camera sensor, SOC, and screen to the garment. They may be held in
some type of holder incorporated into the garment such as a special
pocket, flap, or tab. They may be sewn into the garment as a
separate structure such as the button camera 32 of FIG. 2 or woven
into the fabric. Some parts may be attached in one way and other
parts in different ways.
[0028] A variety of different kinds of communications are possible
using the wearable camera system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As an
example FIG. 3 is a signal flow diagram to show communications
between a camera 52, a processing device 54, and an external server
56. In the example of FIG. 3 the camera system sends an image in
signal (a) to the processing device. The image (a) is then
forwarded from the processing device 54 to the server 56. The
server analyzes the image and returns descriptive information
related to the image back to the processing device. This
information may be a description of an item in the image,
purchasing, historical, or status information about an item in the
image, or information about objects or services near an object in
the image, among other kinds of information. The processing device
54 may be an integral part of the imaging system such as the
wearable computer 36 of FIG. 2, an external handheld or portable
device, such as the smartphone 22 of FIG. 1, or a larger, more
fixed computing device such as a desktop, workstation, or other
fixed computer.
[0029] The communication of FIG. 3 allows the camera system to
observe the surroundings in front of the user, send information
about these surroundings to an information source 56, and then
provide information to the user through the user's smartphone 22.
This allows the user to hold the smartphone in any position and yet
have full situational awareness about the environment immediately
in front of the user. So for example as a tourist walking down the
street, the user can be informed of buildings which are coming into
view through a display on his smartphone 22. In another example, a
plant maintenance worker can receive information on the smartphone
about equipment, fixtures, and rigs which come into view of the
camera system 12. This can be used for systems that are distant or
for very close objects.
[0030] The tourist may obtain information about specific items
displayed on store shelves or about monuments in a city park.
Similarly, the maintenance worker may obtain information about
large systems or detailed service information about a specific
piece of equipment at a facility.
[0031] Using a smart phone, the wearable camera sensor system
requires only a low power, short range connection to the smart
phone, such as Bluetooth, Ultra-Low Power WiFi, or NFC (Near Field
Communications). This allows for a lighter, smaller system with
less need for recharging. The smart phone may then use a higher
power long range radio, such as mobile cellular. Alternatively, a
wearable system may be used in the same way except that the user
views the information on the sleeve display screen 42. Using a
camera mounted in a separate independent position, the sleeve
display may be held in any position and yet the system obtains
information about the environment in front of the user.
[0032] FIG. 4 presents a signaling diagram for an alternative
signaling communication. In the example of FIG. 4 the camera 52
sends an image signal (a) directly to a server 56. The server 56
then sends a description (b) back to the camera 52. The camera can
then present the information on an incorporated display 42 or send
the descriptive information to an external device 22 for
consideration by the user.
[0033] FIG. 5 presents another alternative signaling diagram. The
camera 52 sends an image signal (a) directly to a server 56.
However, the server sends the description information not to the
camera but to the processing device 54. Because the camera system
has a wireless antenna 20 40 attached to its processing resources
16, 36, it may be able to communicate through a cellular telephone
network or a WiFi network directly to a remote server to obtain the
desired information. This simplifies communications for the
external device 22. However, the server can then send information
directly to the user for display on the external device.
[0034] In the described examples the camera system 12, 32 may take
many different configurations. It may be attached to the garment as
an accessory or integrated into the garment as a button or a
nonfunctional item. FIG. 6A is a top elevation view of a camera
system for detecting images. A photo detector or image sensor 72 is
coupled to an imaging processor 74 that generates an output signal
for wired, optical, or radio communication. The sensor 72 sees the
surrounding environment through a wide field view lens 76. The wide
field of view lens may be a fish eye type lens or any other
appropriate type lens. In the example of FIG. 6A the lens is shown
as having a 180 degree and panoramic horizontal field of view so
that the camera can observe everything that is in front of the
user. The panoramic view may be more or less than 180 degrees,
depending on the particular implementation.
[0035] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the same camera module as
in FIG. 6A. This view shows that the fish eye lens 76 has a 180
degree field of view in a horizontal direction and a much narrower,
for example a 60 degree field of view, in a vertical direction.
Reducing the field of view in the vertical direction simplifies the
lens, the imaging requirements of the sensor 72 and the processing
requirements of the image processor 74 while still detecting most
everything of interest to the viewer and the user.
[0036] FIG. 7A is a top elevation view of an alternative type of
camera sensor system suitable for use as described with embodiments
of the present invention. In this example five separate camera
modules are coupled together to a single image processor 88. Each
camera module includes a lens 86-1 to 86-5 for imaging a narrower
field of view onto a photo detector 82-1 to 82-5. The data from
each image sensor is then processed in a separate image processor
84-1 to 84-5. All of the processed imaged information is then
consolidated and combined by an additional image processor 88. The
additional image processor 88 is then coupled through an output
interface to the processing resources 16, 36 of the system.
Alternatively, each photodetector may be coupled into the same
processor so that a single processor receives the raw data and
generates a consolidated image. In such an implementation, the
separate image processors 84-1 to 84-5 would not be needed.
[0037] Each camera module of FIG. 7A may be simpler and less
expensive than that of FIG. 6A which may allow for a less expensive
and yet more detailed view of the surroundings of the user. In one
embodiment the camera modules may be independently switched on and
off to save power and to switch between a panoramic view and a more
detailed single camera view. The camera sensors may also be
activated one at a time as a scanning array or a multiple spot
imaging array. While five camera modules are shown, there may be
fewer or many more. Additional or different types of camera sensors
may be used including artificial compound eye sensors with many
more than five individual camera modules.
[0038] Any type of camera module may be attached to a garment 10,
30 using a clip or a pin. The camera module may also be permanently
attached by being sewn on such as the example of the camera sensor
32 of FIG. 2 which appears as and operates as a button to hold the
shirt together. The camera module may also be outfitted with a
special holder in the garment to hold the camera module in
place.
[0039] The processing system 16, 36 may take a variety of different
forms. A simple example is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8.
The processing system 90 is coupled to the camera module 92 through
a data interface 94. The data interface may connect to the camera
module using a wired or wireless connector 91, as explained above .
The data interface is coupled to a controller 96 of the processor
90 which has internal memory resources 97 that may or may not be
available to other components. The controller may be a simple FPGA
(Field Programmable Gate Array) or a complex microprocessor with
many functions, or any. The memory resources 97 may be magnetic,
solid state, phase change, or any other type of memory depending on
the particular implementation.
[0040] The controller 96 may also be connected to a communications
interface 98 with, for example, an antenna 99 with which to send
and receive data with external devices. Depending on the particular
implementation, data from the camera 92 may be delivered through
the data interface 94 directly through the communications interface
98 to be sent through the antenna 99 to other devices. Similarly,
information may be received from the communications interface 99 to
the controller for communication to the user. As shown a common bus
connects the data interface, communications interface and
controller to each other to exchange data, signaling, and commands.
The memory may be connected directly to the bus or connected
through the controller depending on the implementation.
[0041] FIG. 9A shows an example usage scenario as a process flow
diagram for the camera and capture systems described above. At 102,
the camera sensor captures an image using the photo detectors as
described above. At 104, the image is sent to an external
information source. This may be sent directly from a camera module
or from a larger external device. The image may be sent to a remote
server or to a local device for analysis, depending on the type of
analysis and the capabilities of the local resources. At 106, the
image is analyzed to find information, metadata, or other resources
that are related to the image. Finally at 108, the analysis is sent
back to the user for use. The analysis may be displayed on a screen
as described or it may be presented with sound, such as a simulated
voice or in any other way.
[0042] This process may be repeated as the camera sensor continues
to capture images. The process may be timed so that a new image is
sent a specific time intervals, such as once a second, once a
minute, once every ten minutes, etc. The process may be triggered
by user command or by a remote command or by the system. For
example, the camera sensor may capture images and perform an
analysis to determine if the scene has significantly changed. A
significant change may be used as a trigger to send a new image. In
addition, the image may be sent with additional information or
commands based on an application currently in use or a request from
the user.
[0043] FIG. 9B shows a related process as a process flow diagram
from the perspective of the server. At 122, an image is received
from the camera sensor at the server. While use with a remote
server is described, the same functions may be performed locally on
an external device or by a wearable computer. At 124, the source of
the image is identified together with any commands, related
applications, or other information that may be useful in analyzing
the image. The source that sent the image may be associated with a
user account, with network identification, with cookies in a web
interaction or in any other way. In one embodiment the source is
identified as having a particular IP (Internet Protocol) address
and specific preferences for the type of information desired and
where that information may be sent. In another embodiment, the
server analyzed the image and determines an information set for the
user based on the image and general information about what
information is preferred by other users. The image may contain EXIF
(Exchangeable Image File Format) or similar data providing an
identification of the camera, the conditions when taking the image,
and the time and location of the camera when the image was taken.
This information together with any past images may be used when
analyzing the image. At 126 the image is analyzed and at 128, the
analysis is sent back to the source of the image. The analysis may
be sent to the same device that sent the image or to a related
device, such as a smart phone, a mobile computer, a fixed
workstation, or a different remote server, depending upon how the
camera system is configured and any preferences provided by the
user.
[0044] FIG. 10 illustrates a computing device 500 in accordance
with one implementation of the invention that may be used for the
camera modules, the processing system 16, 36, or the external
device. The computing device 500 houses a board 502. The board 502
may include a number of components, including but not limited to a
processor 504 and at least one communication chip 506. The
processor 504 is physically and electrically coupled to the board
502. In some implementations the at least one communication chip
506 is also physically and electrically coupled to the board 502.
In further implementations, the communication chip 506 is part of
the processor 504.
[0045] Depending on its applications, computing device 500 may
include other components that may or may not be physically and
electrically coupled to the board 502. These other components
include, but are not limited to, volatile memory (e.g., DRAM) 508,
non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM) 509, flash memory (not shown), a
graphics processor 512, a digital signal processor (not shown), a
crypto processor (not shown), a chipset 514, an antenna 516, a
display 518 such as a touchscreen display, a touchscreen controller
520, a battery 522, an audio codec (not shown), a video codec (not
shown), a power amplifier 524, a global positioning system (GPS)
device 526, a compass 528, an accelerometer (not shown), a
gyroscope (not shown), a speaker 530, a camera 532, and a mass
storage device (such as hard disk drive) 510. These components may
be connected to the system board 502, mounted to the system board,
or combined with any of the other components.
[0046] The communication chip 506 enables wireless and/or wired
communications for the transfer of data to and from the computing
device 500. The term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to
describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques,
communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through
the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid
medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not
contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. The
communication chip 506 may implement any of a number of wireless or
wired standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi
(IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long
term evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM,
GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, Ethernet derivatives thereof, as
well as any other wireless and wired protocols that are designated
as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing device 500 may include a
plurality of communication chips 506. For instance, a first
communication chip 506 may be dedicated to shorter range wireless
communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a second
communication chip 506 may be dedicated to longer range wireless
communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO,
and others.
[0047] The processor 504 of the computing device 500 includes an
integrated circuit die packaged within the processor 504. The term
"processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that
processes electronic data from registers and/or memory to transform
that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored
in registers and/or memory.
[0048] In various implementations, the computing device 500 may be
a laptop, a netbook, a notebook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, a
tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ultra mobile PC, a
mobile phone, a desktop computer, a server, a printer, a scanner, a
monitor, a set-top box, an entertainment control unit, a digital
camera, a portable music player, or a digital video recorder. In
further implementations, the computing device 500 may be any other
electronic device that processes data.
[0049] Embodiments may be implemented as a part of one or more
memory chips, controllers, CPUs (Central Processing Unit),
microchips or integrated circuits interconnected using a
motherboard, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
and/or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
[0050] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "example
embodiment", "various embodiments", etc., indicate that the
embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include particular
features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment
necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or
characteristics. Further, some embodiments may have some, all, or
none of the features described for other embodiments.
[0051] In the following description and claims, the term "coupled"
along with its derivatives, may be used. "Coupled" is used to
indicate that two or more elements co-operate or interact with each
other, but they may or may not have intervening physical or
electrical components between them.
[0052] As used in the claims, unless otherwise specified, the use
of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to
describe a common element, merely indicate that different instances
of like elements are being referred to, and are not intended to
imply that the elements so described must be in a given sequence,
either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other
manner.
[0053] The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of
embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or
more of the described elements may well be combined into a single
functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split
into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may
be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes
described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner
described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need
not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts
necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not
dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other
acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these
specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in
the specification or not, such as differences in structure,
dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of
embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following
claims.
[0054] The following examples pertain to further embodiments. The
various features of the different embodiments may be variously
combined with some features included and others excluded to suit a
variety of different applications. Some embodiments pertain to an
apparatus that comprises a camera to capture images with a wide
field of view, a data interface to send camera images to an
external device, and a power supply to power the camera and the
data interface. The camera, data interface, and power supply are
attached to a garment. In further embodiments, the camera is
integrated into the garment, such as by using a pin, or being sewn
to the garment.
[0055] In further embodiments, the camera has a panoramic field of
view or a 180 degree horizontal field of view. In further
embodiments, the data interface is an optic fiber interface, the
data interface is a wireless interface, and the external device is
a cellular telephone. In further embodiments the apparatus further
includes a processor and image recognition software to process
images captured by the camera before sending by the data
interface.
[0056] In another embodiment an imaging and communication system
comprises a camera to capture images and to send the images through
a short range wireless interface, a data interface to receive the
images from the camera through the short range wireless interface,
a processor coupled to the data interface to process the images for
analysis, and a long range wireless interface coupled to the
processor to send the processed images to a remote device.
[0057] In further embodiments, the long range wireless image is
further to receive information about the sent images from the
remote device, a display is coupled to the processor to display the
received information about the images, and a control interface
coupled to the display to allow user control of the displayed
information.
[0058] In another embodiment, a method comprises capturing an image
in a camera attached to a garment, sending the image to an external
device for analysis, receiving the analysis from the external
device, and presenting the analysis to a user of the garment.
[0059] In further embodiments, sending the image comprises sending
the image to a local portable device and the local portable device
sending the image to a remote server. In further embodiments, the
local portable device is also attached to the garment, or the local
portable device is a cellular telephone. In further embodiments,
sending the image further comprises sending additional information
about the image including time and location, presenting the
analysis comprises presenting information about the image on a
display that is movable independent of the camera.
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