U.S. patent application number 14/683140 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-13 for miniature hd camera system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Oran Jacob Isaac-Lowry. Invention is credited to Oran Jacob Isaac-Lowry.
Application Number | 20160301892 14/683140 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52828526 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160301892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Isaac-Lowry; Oran Jacob |
October 13, 2016 |
Miniature HD Camera System
Abstract
A miniature high definition camera system which converts
parallel data to serial data at the camera and then back to
parallel data at a remote digital video recorder to avoid signal
attenuation issues known to occur with parallel data transmitted
across data cables. The camera system features video sensors to
permit recording in visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths
as well as in low light for night vision.
Inventors: |
Isaac-Lowry; Oran Jacob;
(Honolulu, HI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Isaac-Lowry; Oran Jacob |
Honolulu |
HI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52828526 |
Appl. No.: |
14/683140 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 7/04 20130101; H04N
5/23206 20130101; H04N 7/102 20130101; H04N 7/10 20130101; A42B
3/30 20130101; H04N 5/2257 20130101; H04N 5/2254 20130101; H04N
5/2252 20130101; H04N 5/2251 20130101; H04N 5/77 20130101; H04N
5/92 20130101; H04N 7/015 20130101; A42B 3/042 20130101; H04N
5/2253 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/77 20060101
H04N005/77; H04N 5/225 20060101 H04N005/225; H04N 7/04 20060101
H04N007/04; H04N 7/10 20060101 H04N007/10; H04N 5/92 20060101
H04N005/92; H04N 7/015 20060101 H04N007/015 |
Claims
1. A miniature camera system comprising, a camera module which
converts light into serial data, said camera module comprised of,
at least, one lens arranged to direct light onto a photo-detector
of a video sensor affixed to a printed circuit board, integrated
circuitry to convert parallel data to serial data, and a plurality
of audio inputs on a digital video recorder to record audio from a
plurality of audio sources simultaneously with the recording of
digital video, said video sensor selected from the group consisting
of video sensors which detect wavelengths in the visible, infrared,
and ultraviolet spectrums.
2. The miniature camera system of claim 1, wherein said video
sensor which detects light in the visible spectrum is further
optimized for night vision.
3. The miniature camera system of claim 1, further comprising a
data cable, said data cable having a plurality of conducting wires
affixed to component terminals on said printed circuit board of
said camera module wherein each said conductor is arranged to
received and communicate a single channel of serial data from said
integrated circuitry from said camera module.
4. The miniature camera system of claim 3, further comprising an
audio-visual data recording device, said audio-visual data
recording device arranged to receive said serial data communicated
by said data cable from said camera module, said audio-visual data
recording device comprised of, at least, integrated circuitry
affixed to a printed circuit board to convert received serial data
to parallel data and to compress said parallel data, and a digital
data recorder to receive said compressed parallel data and store
said data on computer readable media.
5. The miniature camera system of claim 4, wherein said digital
data recorder possesses an HDSC card writer.
6. The miniature camera system of claim 4, wherein said data cable
is a mini-HDMI audio-visual cable connected to said printed circuit
board in said camera by soldering wire conductors directly to
component terminals.
7. The miniature camera system of claim 6, wherein said
audio-visual data recording device possesses a female mini-HDMI
connector to receive said HDMI audio-visual cable.
8. The miniature camera system of claim 4, wherein said
audio-visual data recording device possesses a female micro-USB
connector for direct data transfer.
9. The miniature camera system of claim 4, further comprising a
microphone.
10. The miniature camera system of claim 9, wherein said digital
data recorder receives data from said microphone via a female audio
jack that receives a male connector of said microphone.
11. The miniature camera system of claim 4, further comprising a
data recording device harness to retain said data recording device,
wherein said harness may be removably affixed to a person or
object.
12. The miniature camera system of claim 11, wherein said harness
receives said data recording device in a tensioned snap-fit
arrangement.
13. The miniature camera system of claim 3, further comprising an
audio-visual data transmitting device, said audio-visual data
transmitting device arranged to receive said serial data
communicated by said data cable from said camera module, said
audio-visual data transmitting device comprised of, at least,
integrated circuitry affixed to a printed circuit board programmed
to convert received serial data to parallel data and programmed to
compress said parallel data, and a wireless transmitter to
broadcast said compressed parallel data.
14. The miniature camera system of claim 13, wherein said wireless
transmitter utilizes a communications protocol selected from the
group consisting of Bluetooth, Wireless HD, Cellular, IEEE 802.22,
Wi-Fi, and UWB.
15. The miniature camera system of claim 3, further comprising a
camera housing joined to a camera mount by a ball and socket
joint.
16. The miniature camera system of claim 3, further comprising a
camera housing affixed to a camera mount having at least one top
mounting arm to extend over a nose bridge of an eyewear frame and
at least one bottom mounting arm to extend beneath said nose bridge
of said eyewear frame wherein said top and said bottom mounting
arms are tensioned so as to secure said camera housing to said nose
bridge when affixed to said eyewear.
17. The miniature camera system of claim 16, wherein said data
cable is secured to an upper rim on said eyewear by at least one
cord clip.
18. The miniature camera system of claim 1, wherein the video
sensor is selected from the group of video sensors optimized for
infrared, ultraviolet, and human visible wavelengths.
19. The miniature camera system of claim 1, wherein the video
sensor is a low light video sensor.
20. The miniature camera system of claim 1, wherein the lens is
removably affixed and interchangeable with lenses having different
focal lengths.
21. The miniature camera system of claim 1, wherein the lens is
removably affixed and interchangeable with a lens having a
different focal lengths.
22. The miniature camera system of claim 1, wherein the lens is
removably affixed and interchangeable with a lens having a
filter.
23. The miniature camera system of claim 1, wherein the lens is
removably affixed and interchangeable with a wide-angle lens.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 61/890,873 filed on Oct. 15, 2013 and co-pending
U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/178,256 filed on Feb.
11, 2014 and Ser. No. 14/514,673 filed on Oct. 15, 2014.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The device of the present application relates generally to
wearable audio-visual electronics. More specifically, the device of
the present application relates to a device and method which
permits greater miniaturization of the camera while permitting the
recording of high definition video.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Digital cameras have undergone increasing miniaturization
and they have enabled an increasing variety of opportunities for
low-resolution hands-free photography and videography. Digital
videography has been furthered by the use of improved data
compression, higher bandwidth dual purpose cables and better
audio-video interfaces, e.g. DVI, HDMI, IEEE 1394, and DisplayPort.
However, the transfer of increasingly higher-definition video
requires a greater bitrate than conventional coaxial cable can
provide because of the use of significantly more pixels per image
and a higher frame rate. The ability to transfer large amounts of
data at high speeds has been a limiting factor to the use of
miniature cameras since data storage must be remote from the camera
to achieve the smallest configurations. Signal attenuation is also
a significant barrier which limits the effective length of the
audio-video cable.
[0004] HDMI cable can be manufactured to Category 1 specifications
easily and inexpensively by using 28 AWG conductors which have
diameters of 0.0126 in, i.e. 0.321 mm Higher quality HDMI cables
can be manufactured to Category 2 specifications and utilize 24 AWG
conductors which have diameters of 0.0201 in, i.e. 0.511 mm Several
versions of the HDMI specification have been released with HDMI 2.0
being the most recently released version. HDMI versions 1.3 and 1.4
are much more common.
[0005] The effective length of an audio-video cable is limited by
the bandwidth of the cable and signal attenuation. When an
audio-video cable is used to transfer data in real-time with no
buffer at the camera the effective length is reduced even
further.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present application discloses a miniature digital camera
system using a HDMI audio-video cable to transfer video data as it
is collected to an audio-visual data recording device, i.e. DVR
(digital video recorder) tethered to the end of a data cable. The
digital camera collects high-definition (HD) video and feeds it
directly to a DVR in real-time. Normally, the HDMI audio-video
cable would not be able to provide the throughput needed at a cable
length in excess of a few centimeters due to signal attenuation.
While the application predominantly discussed throughout this
disclosure relates to HD video recording, nothing in this
disclosure should be read as limiting the data collected to video
within the spectrum visible to humans as it is anticipated that
data of interest at other wavelengths, e.g. infrared, ultraviolet,
ultrasound, etc. . . . , could also be recorded in addition to
specific wavelengths, processed signals, and low light
visualization.
[0007] A method of data conversion is disclosed herein which
enables increased HDMI tether length of the audio-visual cable for
placement of the DVR several feet from the digital camera. A method
of connecting the HDMI audio-visual cable to the printed circuit
board of the digital camera so as to minimize the camera size is
also described.
[0008] Various embodiments of miniature camera housings and
mounting means are described herein which facilitate the use of the
miniature camera system in various applications for broadcast and
training, e.g. horse racing, football, and hunting.
[0009] A lens protection system and method for use which maintains
the lens in a substantially clean state so as to not allow dirt and
other environmental contaminants to interfere with the image to be
recorded is also described herein. In a preferred embodiment of the
system, a plurality of removable transparent lens covers are
arranged to cover a camera lens. A further embodiment is described
which permits recording video from the perspective of a jockey. A
still further embodiment is disclosed which relates to wirelessly
transmitting the video and/or audio recorded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the subject camera system
with data cable and remote mini-DVR.
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded perspective view of an embodiment
of the subject camera system.
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective exploded view of the mini-DVR
and DVR harness.
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective exploded view of an embodiment
of the subject mini-DVR battery compartment and battery panel.
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
mini-DVR with DVR casing removed.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the method of video data
serialization and remote deserialization.
[0016] FIG. 7 depicts a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment
of the camera system and mini-DVR as installed within a football
helmet.
[0017] FIG. 7a depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
camera mount.
[0018] FIG. 7b depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
camera mount.
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
camera system and jockey goggles.
[0020] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment
of the camera system mounted onto jockey goggles.
[0021] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment
of the camera system as used with progressively nested jockey
goggles.
[0022] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment
of the single gun barrel mount having an adjustable band.
[0023] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment
of the double gun barrel mount having an adjustable band.
[0024] FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
key-keyway camera mount.
[0025] FIG. 14 depicts perspective view an embodiment of a
dismounted camera mount for eyewear.
[0026] FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of a disassembled camera mount
clip having a ball and socket joint.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] A high definition miniature camera system 100 is disclosed
herein in accordance with FIG. 1. A miniature camera 90 as depicted
in FIG. 2 is further disclosed herein. This assembly incorporates a
video sensor 18 integrated onto a camera PCB 10, i.e. printed
circuit board, preferably a circuit board capable of supporting
high speed serial communication lines. The PCB 10 is affixed within
a lens housing 35 having a lens 60 or lenses 60 which is affixed
over the video sensor 18. The PCB 10 is received within the lens
housing 35. In a preferred embodiment, the lens housing 35 is a
planar panel having a distal lens support surface 32 and a proximal
lens support surface 34 from which the lens housing 35 extends in a
substantially perpendicular orientation to the proximal lens
support surface 34. The lens housing 35 is affixed to the PCB 10
across the distal lens support surface 32 with the video sensor 18
oriented toward the distal lens support surface 32 with the lens
housing 35 substantially centered above the video sensor 18.
[0028] As depicted in FIG. 2, the PCB 10 and lens housing 35
combine to form the camera module 40 and are contained within a
camera module housing 70. The camera module housing 70 is
preferably constructed from at least two parts which assemble
together to encase and secure the PCB 10 and lens housing 35. The
proximal camera module casing 50 preferably possesses, in part, the
lens housing 35, dowel receptacles 55, lens housing port 62 and
proximal camera module recess 51 into which the lens housing 35
with the installed PCB 10 are received. The distal camera module
casing 41 preferably possesses, in part, the distal camera module
recess 47 and dowels 43. To assemble, the camera module 40 is
inserted into the proximal camera module recess 51 in the proximal
camera module casing interior surface 53 with the lens housing 35
received into the lens housing port 62.
[0029] Mobile phone and smart device camera and microphone
technology is believed to be suitably small and be sufficiently
power efficient to be of use in this configuration, however, in a
preferred embodiment, a high definition video sensor 18 equipped
with wide angle lens 60 having a resolution of at least 3
megapixels, more preferably at least 4 megapixels, and most
preferably at least 5 megapixels is integrated onto the PCB 10
beneath the lens housing 35.
[0030] The distal camera module casing 40, as depicted in FIG. 2,
is aligned with and affixed to the proximal camera module casing 50
by alignment means 43, e.g. dowels 43. The camera module housing 70
may be further sealed with the application of an adhesive along the
camera module housing 70 joint 66. A preferred embodiment of the
alignment means 43 utilizes dowels 43 protruding from the of the
distal camera module casing 40. The dowels 43 of the distal camera
module casing 40 are received into dowel receptacles 55 within the
proximal camera module casing 50 so as to join the proximal and
distal camera module casings 32, 40. The proximal and distal camera
module casings 32, 40 are secured in their joined orientation and
sealed. In a further preferred embodiment, the lens 60 is seated
against the lens housing 35 to inhibit the introduction of moisture
and contaminants into the camera 90. In a further embodiment, a
seal 66 is placed between the lens 60 and lens housing 35 to
further weatherproof the camera 90. In an alternative embodiment,
the lens housing 35 possesses an interior annular groove 65 about
the lens housing interior surface 67 to further improve the weather
resistance of the camera 90 by inhibiting the introduction of water
and environmental contaminants into the camera module housing
70.
[0031] The camera module housing 70 casings 32, 40 are preferably
constructed of plastic, preferably molded from a deformable
material such as a thermoplastic, e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS). The casings 32, 40 may be created from a mold or
from a three dimensional printer. Plastic is a preferred material
due to the cost of materials and manufacturing as well as its low
mass and rigid nature. The camera module housing 70 may further
possess a camera mounting means 130 to facilitate the placement and
affixation of the camera 90 to a desired location. The camera
mounting means 130 may be affixed to the camera module housing 70
or it may be integrated into one or more camera housing casings 32,
40. Non-limiting examples of camera mounting means 130 include
tensioned clips, mounting arms with hardware attachment means (e.g.
screws) receiving holes, and ring clamps.
[0032] As depicted in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, an
audio-visual cable 140 is used to transfer data from the camera PCB
10 to a remote audio-visual data recording device 200, i.e. data
storage device 200, e.g. a DVR 200. A HD video sensor 18 on the PCB
10 converts images obtained through the lens 60 into data which are
associated with specific pixels on each captured image frame. Since
the stream of video data is continuous, discrete frames are
captured sequentially at a rate measured in frames per second, i.e.
fps. Each pixel contains data, therefore the greater the resolution
and the greater the number of pixels, the greater the amount of
data collected and transferred. Additionally, the greater the image
fps, the greater the number of frames are recorded and therefore an
increasingly greater amount of data is collected and transferred.
The data from the video sensor 18 is transmitted in a parallel
communications protocol. Protocols for parallel transmission, such
as those used for computer ports, have been standardized by
ANSI.
[0033] Parallel communications protocol is a method of conveying
multiple binary digits, i.e. bits, simultaneously. It contrasts
with serial communication protocol, which conveys only a single bit
at a time. Interference between parallel lines, i.e. crosstalk
worsens with increasingly longer lengths required for the parallel
communication link along the audio-visual cable 140. Crosstalk,
e.g. undesired capacitive, inductive, or conductive coupling, is a
phenomenon by which a signal transmitted on one channel creates an
undesired effect in another channel. The ratio of the power in a
disturbing channel or circuit to the induced power in the disturbed
channel circuit is crosstalk coupling and is expressed in units of
dB when describing crosstalk coupling loss, i.e. signal loss. This
restricts the effective length of a parallel data connection for
use with this application to about 3 centimeters when a meter or
more is typically necessary to remove the media recorder 200 from
the immediate vicinity of the camera 90.
[0034] To avoid the significant signal interference and/or signal
loss encountered while transmitting parallel communications data,
the parallel data is converted, as described in FIG. 6, to serial
data by integrated circuitry 37 affixed to the camera PCB 10. The
integrated circuitry 37, e.g. a microcontroller, microprocessor, or
functional equivalent, may be separate componentry affixed to the
camera PCB 10 or may be the video sensor 18. Parallel-to-serial
conversion converts a stream of multiple data elements, received
simultaneously, into a stream of data elements transmitted in time
sequence, i.e. one at a time. Recent improvements in serial
communications have resulted in serial computer buses becoming more
common as improved signal integrity, transmission speeds, and
simplicity have begun to outweigh its disadvantages relative to
parallel communications, e.g. speed, clock skew, and interconnect
density.
[0035] As depicted in FIG. 2, in order to transmit significant
amounts of video data to a remote media recorder 90, a standard
mini-HDMI cable 140 is repurposed and the conductors 131 therein
are used as separate low voltage differential serial communication
lines to obtain the necessary throughput without sacrificing the
signal. The serialized data can be transmitted over a repurposed
mini-HDMI cable 140 for at least 54 in, 1.3716 m, without
significant signal interference or loss. Video sensors 18 with
higher resolution capacity require an audio-visual cable 140 with
more conductors 131 to transmit the data at a sufficient bitrate to
capture all of the data.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, a CMOS, i.e. a complementary
metal-oxide-semiconductor, imaging chip is utilized as the video
sensor 18 on the PCB 10. CMOS is a type of active pixel sensor made
using the CMOS semiconductor process. The video sensor 18 converts
the received light energy to a voltage. In a CMOS video sensor 18,
each pixel has its own charge-to-voltage conversion, and the sensor
15 often also includes amplifiers, noise correction, and
digitization circuits, so that chip outputs are digital bits.
[0037] In a further preferred embodiment, a 5 megapixel (MP) CMOS
sensor 15 with a dynamic range of about 70 dB is integrated with
the PCB 10 to provide responsivity of less than 2 microvolts/lux-s.
Dynamic range is the ratio of a pixel's saturation level to its
signal threshold. Responsivity is the amount of signal the sensor
15 delivers per unit of input optical energy. This generates
approximately 2,353 MB/s of data. Frame rates of 30 fps are
utilized which generates 1,176 MB/s of data, although 60 fps is
possible. The mini-HDMI audio-video cable 140 is repurposed to
provide eight serial channels using sixteen conductors 131. Using 8
channels, an effective communication speed of approximately 147 MHz
at 30 fps is achieved using a standard LVDS, i.e. low-voltage
differential signaling, serial communications protocol. Alternative
embodiments employ HiSPi, Four-Lane MIPI, or other available serial
communications protocols.
[0038] In a still further embodiment, the video sensor 18 is a
module that may be removed and interchanged with other video
sensors that sense light at different wavelengths and/or levels,
e.g. non-visible wavelengths. In a preferred embodiment, a low
light video sensor can be removably affixed within the camera
module housing 70. In yet a further embodiment, an infrared sensor
can be removably affixed within the camera module housing 70. In a
still further embodiment, an ultraviolet sensor can be removably
affixed within the camera housing 70. Moreover, the lens may also
be interchanged to provide for different focal lengths, filters, or
even a wide-angle lens.
[0039] To achieve optimal miniaturization of the camera 90, the
audio-video cable 140 is hard wired directly to the PCB 10 by
soldering conductors 131 to terminals on the PCB solder side 14.
The audio-video cable conductors 131 are soldered directly to the
PCB solder side 14, therefore the PCB 10 can be constructed
substantially smaller than a PCB 10 having a conventional
audio-video cable 140 connection using machine soldering methods,
e.g. incorporating a standard male or female HDMI connector onto a
flange on the side of the PCB 10 for the wire solder pads. As a
result the camera 90 can be further miniaturized through the
elimination of the standard male or female connectors on the PCB
10. Additionally, the absence of a bulky connector allows the for
the arbitrary orientation of the audio-video cable 140 as it exits
the camera module housing 70, providing flexibility in camera
module housing 70 design.
[0040] After the audio-video cable 140 exits the camera module
housing 70 through the audio-video cable port 68, the audio-visual
cable 140 is retained by the cord guide 57. The cord guide 57 is
preferably affixed to or integrated onto the camera module housing
70. The cord guide 57 secures the audio-video cable 140 to the
camera module housing 70 so that the soldered connections 36
affixing the audio-video cable 140 to the PCB 10 will not be
damaged and disconnected.
[0041] The CMOS video sensor 18 chip compresses the video into a
compressed video file, preferably for temporary storage in flash
memory prior to recording the data. Preferably the digital video is
compressed into a standard format, e.g. mp4, avi, etc. . . . , and
subsequently transmitted via an audio-video cable 140 to a media
recorder 90. In a yet further preferred embodiment, the video is
transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter 189 or transponder 189.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, Bluetooth is used as a means of
wireless communication. All modem mobile telephones are Bluetooth
enabled and have that protocol factory installed, as do most
personal electronic devices; therefore a Bluetooth based
implementation provides a proven technology which would be
economical and cost effective. Connections between Bluetooth
enabled electronic devices allow these devices to communicate
wirelessly through short-range, ad hoc networks known as piconets.
Piconets may be established dynamically and automatically as
Bluetooth enabled devices enter and leave radio proximity Bluetooth
technology operates in the unlicensed industrial, scientific and
medical (ISM) band at 2.4 to 2.485 GHz, using a spread spectrum,
frequency hopping with Gaussian frequency shift keying (GFSK),
differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK), or
eight-phaseshift differential phase-shift keying (8DPSK)
modulation. The basic data gross rate is 1 Mbit/s for GFSK, 2 MB/s
for DQPSK, and 3 MB/s for 8DPSK.
[0043] The 2.4 GHz ISM band is available and unlicensed in most
countries. Ideally, a Bluetooth transmitter used in the present
system will be a class 1 radio, having a range of up to
approximately 200 meters (roughly 984 feet). In a preferred
embodiment, the range could be adjusted by optimizing the power to
the associated Bluetooth transponder. The following table
identifies the power scheme for each class of Bluetooth radio.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 BLUETOOTH POWER CLASSES Class Maximum Power
Operating Range 1 200 mW (20 dBm) 200 meters 2 2.5 mW (4 dBm) 10
meters 3 1 mW (0 dBm) 1 meter
[0044] Other wireless technologies are potentially beneficial as
well. Various short range wireless technologies of interest are
described in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 SHORT RANGE WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES Technology
Frequency Range Features Bluetooth 2.4 GHz <200 m Low-power
Cellular Common Several km Longer range cellular bands IEEE 802.22
470 to 768 MHz Many miles Longer range UWB 3.1 to 10.6 GHz <10 m
Low power Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5 GHz <200 m High speed, ubiquity
Wireless HD 7 GHz and <10 m Very high speed 60 GHz Wireless USB
2.4 GHz <10 m Proprietary protocol
[0045] Table 3 summarizes Wireless HD for mobile and portable
applications.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 WIRELESS HD FOR NON-STATIONARY DEVICES
Device Power Antennas Range Mobile <285 mW 1-4 3-5 m, LOS/NLOS
Portable <1 W ~16 10, NLOS
[0046] Table 4 summarizes Wireless HD applications and data
transfer rates.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 WIRELESS HD APPLICATIONS Application Data
rate Latency Uncompressed QHD 8.0 Gb/s 2 ms (2560 .times. 1440p,
59.954/60 Hz, 36 bit color) Uncompressed 720p frame sequential 3D
A/V 4.0 Gb/s 2 ms (1280 .times. 1440p, 59.94/60 Hz, 36 bit color)
Uncompressed 1080p, 120 Hz 7.5 Gb/s 2 ms (1920 .times. 1080p,
119.88/120 Hz, 30 bit color) Uncompressed 1080p A/V 3.0 Gb/s 2 ms
Uncompressed 1080i A/V 1.5 Gb/s 2 ms Uncompressed 720p A/V 1.4 Gb/s
2 ms Uncompressed 480p A/V 0.5 Gb/s 2 ms Uncompressed 7.1 surround
sound audio 40 Mb/s 2 ms Compressed 1080p A/V4 20-40 Mb/s 2 ms
Uncompressed 5.1 surround sound audio 20 Mb/s 2 ms Compressed 5.1
surround sound audio 1.5 Mb/s 2 ms File transfer >1.0 Gb/s
N/A
[0047] Serialized data from the video sensor 18 on the camera PCB
10 is transmitted to a remote video chip 153 for serial-to-parallel
conversion and subsequent compression. The remote video chip 153 is
housed on a DVR PCB 171, i.e. preferably a circuit board capable of
supporting high speed serial communication lines, in the DVR
housing 174. As previously stated, the DVR 200 can be located as
much as 54 inches, i.e. 1.37 meters, from the camera 90 due to the
serialization of the data. Having the remote video chip 153
compress the data remotely allows for a smaller camera 90
footprint. Conventional miniature cameras use parallel
communications and require the video chip 15 responsible for
compression to be located no more than 2-3 inches, i.e. 5-8 cm,
from the photo-detector 16 on the PCB 10.
[0048] After de-serialization of the data and subsequent
compression, the data is stored onto computer readable media 97,
e.g. micro-SD card, mini-SD card, SD-card, solid-state drive, etc.
. . . , for wired transfer via a hardware communications port, e.g.
micro-USB, or wireless transfer by a transmitter 189. In a
preferred embodiment, high speed micro-SDHC or more preferably
micro-SDXC format cards 97 having read/write rates of 25 MB/s or
higher are used. In an alternative embodiment, an embedded SD card
97 may be used. Preferably, the computer readable media 97 is
removable for physical transfer to another device for use. In a
preferred embodiment, a female mini-HDMI connector 159 is
integrated onto the DVR PCB to receive the repurposed HDMI
audio-visual cable 140 and male mini-HDMI connector 157. A female
micro-USB connector 162 is integrated into the DVR PCB for wired
transfer of the data from the computer readable media 97. A
removable computer readable media reader/writer 165, as depicted in
FIG. 5, permits the user to removably insert a media card 167 into
the DVR housing 174 and is connected to the DVR PCB 171 to receive
the compressed video output from the compression video chip 92. A
microphone jack 156, preferably a 2.5 mm audio jack 156, is
integrated into the DVR housing 174 and connected to integrated
circuitry on the DVR PCB 171 to format and compress audio data from
an external microphone 137 and transfer it to the computer readable
media 97. The mini-DVR further possesses a power button 185 to
actuate a power switch 187.
[0049] In a further embodiment, the DVR 200 possesses a second
audio receiver 138 to receive an audio signal from an external
device such as an iPod, cell phone, or radio. The audio from the
external device is recorded simultaneously on the DVR 200 with the
video from the camera and audio from the external microphone 137.
For example, a police officer or paramedic may desire to record
radio communication simultaneously with video and audio from the
external microphone 137. Simultaneous recording at the DVR 200
eliminates the technical problems associated with editing the radio
communication into the recording at a later time, serves as a
better record since the recording has not been modified, and adds
context to the video and sound recorded from the officer's
environment. It is also advantageous to recording prerecorded music
or words to the soundtrack of the video at the DVR 200, again
without the technical difficulties associated with blending two
audio tracks at a later time through the use of digital editing
software or analog audio systems. The audio receiver 138 can be a
physical audio jack or a wireless receiver which is preferably
integrated with the DVR PCB 171.
[0050] As depicted in FIGS. 3-5, the DVR housing 174 is preferably
a multi-part assembly of at least two parts, the DVR casing 180 and
the DVR cover 186. The DVR PCB 171, and connectors 159, 162 reside
in the DVR casing 180 and are powered by a direct current power
source 134, i.e. batteries 134, stored between the DVR PCB 171 and
the DVR casing interior surface 177. The batteries 134 may be
accessed through a removably attached battery access panel 184 on
the DVR casing exterior surface 183.
[0051] The DVR housing 174 is preferably removably attached to the
wearer of the miniature camera 90 by a wearable DVR harness 250.
The harness 250 may be affixed wherever it may be conveniently
worn. In a preferred embodiment, the harness 250 receives the DVR
housing 174 which it secures in a snap-fit arrangement with the
tensioned harness arms 245 sliding about the DVR housing 174 to
retain the DVR 200 in a friction fit arrangement. In a still
further preferred embodiment, the harness 250 possesses strap ports
230 to receive a fixed or adjustable strap 220 or may receive the
belt of the wearer. In a further embodiment, the harness 250 is
equipped with a harness mount 240, e.g. tensioned harness clip 240
which permits it to be slid onto an object and retained in a
friction-fit arrangement. The DVR housing 174 further possesses a
microphone clip 247.
[0052] In an additional embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 13, the
distal camera module casing 40 detachably mates with a camera mount
130. In a preferred embodiment, the camera housing 50 and camera
mount 130 mate in a key-keyway arrangement. In a further preferred
embodiment, the distal camera module casing 40 possesses a slotted
keyway 92 that is integrated with the camera module housing 70 that
is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the camera mount face
116 and parallel to axis along the length of the lens housing 35 of
the camera 90. The key 98 is substantially parallel to the camera
mount face 116 and connected by a key support arm 104.
[0053] The keyway 92 is configured to descend onto they key 98 so
that the exterior surface of the distal camera module casing 40 is
substantially parallel with the key 98 and the camera mount face
116. The keyway 92 possesses a key support arm channel 107 in the
distal keyway wall 95 to permit the key 98 to traverse the keyway
92 without being hindered by the keyway 92 until the key support
arm channel 107 terminates at the key stop 101. The key support arm
channel 107 acts to help guide the key 98 through the keyway 92 and
secures its orientation so as to inhibit rotation. In a still
further preferred embodiment, the key 98 is secured in the keyway
92 by a tensioned key stop tab 110 that is displaced by the key 98
as it enters the keyway 92 and reengages once the key bottom 113 of
the key 98 passes the tensioned key stop tab 110 passes by and is
no longer displaced. Removal of the key 98 must first be initiated
by depressing the tensioned key stop tab 110 to permit the key 98
to slide over it and down the keyway 92. In a further embodiment,
they key 98 is T-shaped when viewed along its vertical axis, with
the key support arm 104 forming the figurative downward stem of the
letter T and the keyway 92 designed to receive and restrain the
crossbar of the letter "T" as the key 98 while possessing a key arm
support channel 107 to permit the support arm to pass through the
distal keyway wall 95.
[0054] In a further embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, the
camera mount 130 is progressively angled to from the support mount
119 to the key mount 122. The support mount 3 is affixed to an
object for the purpose of supporting the camera 90. At the opposite
end of the camera mount 130 from the support mount, the key mount
122 is either in a fixed angular relationship with the support
mount 173 or in an adjustable angular relationship. In a still
further embodiment, the angular relationship between the support
mount 119 and the key mount 122 is modified by movement along an
adjustable mount hinge 125.
[0055] Applications
[0056] Televised horse racing is a growing industry in the United
States, spurred by progress in HD television broadcasting and the
virtually complete replacement of traditional antenna-to-antenna
signal broadcasting with satellite and digital cable transmissions.
One popular trend in the industry is wagering on random
rebroadcasts of old races. Previous industry attempts at capturing
video from the jockey's perspective met with significant failure
due not only to camera size and video quality, but also with
limitations created by dirt adhering to the camera lens mid-race.
Jockeys traditionally wear multiple sets of nested goggles 285 and
shed them during the race as their vision becomes obscured from
dirt kicked up by surrounding horses. Since the course is typically
damp from being sprayed with water to inhibit dust formation, the
dirt tends to adhere to the surface of the goggles 285 and can
obscure the jockey's vision and the lens 60 of any camera worn in
the race by the jockey. Moreover, some constituents in new
synthetic racing surfaces are susceptible to clumping as they
contain significant fibrous material and/or have constituents which
can carry a static electricity charge. It would be ideal to record
or broadcast a horse race from the perspective of the jockey using
a camera 90 on a goggle mount 300.
[0057] In a preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 8-10, a video
camera 90 is mounted onto jockey goggles 285 to record or broadcast
the event. In the present embodiment, the innermost set of goggles
285 is equipped with a miniature camera 90 mounted on the nose
bridge 263 of the goggles 285, between the eyes of the wearer. The
goggles 285 nested outside of the inner pair of goggles 285 each
possess a transparent lens shield 272. The lens shields 272 are
arranged so that the adjacent underlying lens shield 272 is
protected by the adjacent outer lens shield 272. Preferably each
lens shields 272 is constructed from the same material as the
goggles' lens 275. Common materials are polycarbonate, mid index
plastic and similar transparent materials. As one set of goggles
285 or its lens shield 272 becomes occluded, the jockey removes it
mid-race down around the neck in order to expose an underlying
clean set of goggles 285 with a clean lens shield 272.
[0058] The lens shield 272 can be an extension of the goggle lens
275 or it can be affixed to the nose bridge 263 on the goggles 285.
The goggle lens 275 and lens shield 272 have a consistent thickness
to prevent distortion. The substantially transparent material for
the lens shield 272 and goggle lens 275 is chosen based on the
desired refractive index, light absorption, and light dispersion,
i.e. light scattering, properties. Additionally, a lens shield 272
and goggle lens 275 should possess no manufacturing defects which
could affect the wearer's vision or blur the image recorded by the
camera 90.
[0059] The material for the lens shield 272 is determined in part
based on the Abbe number. The Abbe number is used to describe the
dispersion properties of the lens 60 in relation its refractive
index and is the ratio of the angle of deflection to the mean
dispersion angle. A high Abbe number indicates a low level of
dispersion. A higher index of refraction means a denser material
and therefore a thinner lens. In one embodiment, the chosen lens
material has inherent flexibility. In yet another embodiment, the
chosen lens material is rigid. Table 1 provides examples of the
optical properties of common lens materials.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 1 OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF LENS MATERIALS
Refractive Abbe Material Index Value Crown Glass 1.52 59 High Index
Glass 1.60 42 High Index Glass 1.70 39 Plastic CR-39 1.49 58 Mid
Index Plastic 1.54 47 Mid Index Plastic 1.56 36 High Index Plastic
1.60 36 High Index Plastic 1.66 32 Trivex 1.53 43 Polycarbonate
1.58 30 Perspex 1.49 54 Acetate 1.47 55 Polyacrylate 1.49 63
Polystyrene 1.59 29 Styrene 1.51 43
[0060] In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of removable lens
shields 272 are affixed to the nose bridge 263 of a single pair of
goggles 285. Each lens shield 272 possesses a means for pulling 274
or peeling an individual lens shield 272 away from the goggles 285.
Such pulling means 274 includes tabs and similar extensions
spatially arranged to permit the wearer to differentiate between
the stacked lens shields 272 and which permit the wearer to grasp
and individually remove the outermost lens shield 272. An adhesive
is applied between the individual lens shields 272 in an area that
won't be in front of the lens 60 so as to adhere each lens shield
272 to an adjacent lens shield 272 until physically removed by the
wearer.
[0061] The audio-video cable 140 is affixed to and runs along the
top rim 255 of the goggles 285. A mini-DVR 200 is remotely worn by
the user for data storage. A microphone 137 is also worn by the
user to capture audio to record with the video data. In an
alternate embodiment, the video and audio data feed from the camera
90 is sent to a portable transmitter 189 worn by the wearer for
broadcast. In a preferred embodiment, the data is transmitted by
Wi-Fi or cellular 3G or 4G technology. In a further preferred
embodiment, Wireless HD is used to transmit data by a wireless
transmitter 189.
[0062] A preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 14, incorporates
a camera mount 130 designed to affix to the nose bridge 263 of a
pair of glasses 285 or safety goggles 285. The camera mount 130
would mount in front of the nose bridge 263 by using at least one
arm to hook over the top of the bridge 265 while the bottom of the
bridge 263 would possess at least one arm which would engage the
rear of the bridge 263 by passing below the base of the bridge 270
to engage the rear surface of the bridge 260 or lenses 260. The
mount 130 uses the bridge 263 as a fulcrum about which the mount
130 is affixed by first engaging the top 265 or base 270 of the
bridge 263 and then applying pressure about the bridge 263 to
engage the remaining arm(s) of the mount 130. The converse
construction of the mount 130 is also workable with the mount
passing between the bridge 263 and the wearer while engaging the
outer surface of the bridge 263 and/or lenses.
[0063] As depicted in FIGS. 7, 7a, and 7b, additional embodiments
may use camera mounts 130 in a variety of military and sporting
helmets, e.g. football, hockey, lacrosse, and baseball helmets
where the camera 90 is recessed and mounted within the protective
confines of the helmet 580 but preferably outside of the wearer's
field of vision, e.g. adjacent to the forehead. In a further
alternative embodiment, a helmet 580 outfitted with a camera 90
would utilize a DVR 200 housed within the helmet 580 or affixed
thereto. Preferably the DVR 200 would be housed within the back of
the helmet 580 to minimize damage from impact. The DVR 200 may be
secured within a DVR storage compartment 586 within the helmet 580.
Ideally, the inclusion of the DVR 200 is accomplished without a
reduction in the thickness of any padding within the helmet 580.
Alternatively, a mobile transmitter 189 could be integrated into
the helmet 580, e.g. in the DVR storage compartment 586, using the
DVR 200 to buffer the data feed or compress it prior to
transmission. This data would prove useful in evaluating conditions
or performance for military and rescue personnel as well as
providing feedback on athlete timing, attentiveness and readiness.
A plurality of cameras 90 could be employed to gauge team timing,
effectiveness and communication.
[0064] When the camera 90 is mounted in a helmet 580, vibration and
shock resistance are important thus the helmet mount 600 is
anticipated to be configured with vibration dampening or deflecting
materials and/or structures. The helmet mount 600 is preferably
affixed to the front of the helmet 580 and possesses a mounting
flange 571, preferably mounted between the helmet padding 574 and
the helmet inner surface 573. The helmet mount 580 is ideally
recessed under the brim 575 of the helmet 580 at the forehead to
keep it out of the visual field of the wearer. A preferred
embodiment of a helmet mount 600 incorporates reinforcement ribs
570 and arcuate support arms 572 with the apex of the curve of each
support arm 572 extending laterally relative to the mount's
proximal-distal axis. The reinforcement ribs 570 and support arms
572 act to absorb vibration between the helmet mount 600 and the
camera 90. The helmet mount 600 possesses mount fastener holes 584
which align with existing fastener holes 590 in the helmet 580 so
as to not affect the structural strength of the helmet 580 and
permit the mount flange 592 to be mounted to the helmet 580 using
fasteners 595, e.g. snaps, rivet, and bolts.
[0065] The support arms 572 fix the camera mount in place relative
to the helmet 580 and permit the helmet mount 600 to move
proximally relative to the helmet 580 as the helmet 580 is pressed
against the forehead. The support arms 572 also provide torsional
flexibility, allowing the camera 90 to move and deflect laterally
as well providing limited rotation if an outside object gets inside
the facemask 582 and impacts the helmet mount 600, thus minimizing
breakage and extending the life of the helmet mount 600. In a
preferred embodiment, the helmet mount 600 make use of rounded
edges to minimize the likelihood that an outside object will catch
on the camera 90 or support arms 572.
[0066] The mount flange 571 ideally possesses at least one and
preferably two flange fastener holes 584 aligned with the helmet
fastener holes 590 in the front of the helmet 580. The flange
fastener holes 584 are preferably slotted so as to permit the mount
flange 571 to be secured to multiple helmet designs. The mount
flange 571 may be held in place with a fastener 595. A flexible,
positionable helmet mount 600 is preferred. The helmet flange 571
is preferably molded from a deformable material such as a
thermoplastic, e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
[0067] In yet another embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11-12, a camera
90 is coupled with a gun barrel mount 400 which is affixed to a gun
barrel 380 by an adjustable barrel band 350. Ideally a gun barrel
camera mount 400 would have vibration dampening properties. In
alternative embodiments, the adjustable band 350 may be elastic
band, a ring clamp, or a strap. This embodiment is anticipated to
aid in target acquisition and shooting mechanics for hunters,
police, soldiers, and sharpshooters.
[0068] An additional camera mount 130 embodiment incorporates a
ball and socket joint mount 500, as depicted in FIG. 15, to permit
the camera 90 to be rotated into a desired position. Ideally, the
ball and socket joint 490 is possesses sufficient friction across
the joint 490 to permit the ball 480 and socket 485 to maintain
their relative positions.
[0069] In a further embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 16, a camera
mount 130 further comprises a means to attach the mount 130 to the
bridge 263 of a pair of glasses or goggles 285. In a preferred
embodiment, at least one bridge clip 286 extends from the top of
the camera module housing 70 to permit the bridge mount 290 to be
removably mounted. Preferably, the bridge clip 286 is formed as an
upwardly extending arm 591 progressing from the bridge clip 286
origin at the top of the camera module housing 70, cresting at a
distally oriented bend, and progressing down and forward toward the
nose bridge to form a terminal point that creates an inverted
u-shape.
[0070] The integrated data and power cable is preferably passed
along the top of the glasses 285 or goggles 285, outside of the
vision of the wearer. The cable may be integrated into the glasses
285 or goggles 285 or may be affixed by attachment means, e.g.
clips, glue, or similar means of attachment. The clips 258 channel
the cable along or impinge the cable to the frame of the glasses or
goggles 285. The clips 258 are affixed to the frame of the glasses
285 or goggles 285 either by clipping using at least one tensioned
arm 291 to create a friction fit arrangement or may be securely
attached to the frame by common means of attachment, e.g.
adhesives, screws, hook or loop fabric, and bands which pass
through the clip and around the frame. Ideally, the integrated data
and power cable 140 will pass around the head of the wearer via a
helmet or head gear and down the back to a power supply and data
recording media assembly 250 and/or buffer. Within a jockey's
helmet 280, the audio-visual cable 140 can be installed so as to
pass beneath the padding 282. The audio-visual cable 140 is run to
a data recorder 250 affixed to the helmet 280 or worn by the
jockey. Alternatively, the data can be wirelessly transmitted from
a wireless transmitter 189, e.g. transponder 189, to a remote
receiver 192. In a still further embodiment, a wired 137 or
wireless microphone 195 can be incorporated for the capture of
sound along with video or pictures.
[0071] In a preferred embodiment, cable clips 258 attach the
audio-visual cable 140 to the top rim of the goggles 255. The cable
clips 258 are affixed so as to provide customized guidance of the
audio-visual cable 140.
* * * * *