阅读说明：本技术 无线摄影机系统 (Wireless camera system ) 是由 赖安·富勒 塔米奥·卢西恩·斯特伦伯格 沙欣·阿米尔博 约翰·麦吉尼斯 克里斯托弗·劳伦斯· 于 2018-02-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及包括配置为将数据无线传输至便携式计算设备的摄影机模块和电源模块的无线摄影机系统。摄影机模块可配置为从图像传感器或麦克风生成数据。电输入部可配置为接收直流电以对主电池充电,以及电池插座可包括物理摄影机插座和电摄影机联接器二者。在第一实施方式中,摄影机模块还可包括无线通信模块,该无线通信模块配置为在分离状态下将数据无线地发送至便携式计算机设备。在第二实施方式中,电源模块可配置为在联接状态下从摄影机模块接收数据,并且在联接状态下经由无线通信模块将数据无线地发送至便携式计算机设备。(The present invention relates to a wireless camera system including a camera module and a power module configured to wirelessly transmit data to a portable computing device. The camera module may be configured to generate data from an image sensor or a microphone. The electrical input may be configured to receive direct current to charge the main battery, and the battery receptacle may include both a physical camera receptacle and an electrophotographic coupler. In a first embodiment, the camera module may further comprise a wireless communication module configured to wirelessly transmit data to the portable computer device in the detached state. In a second embodiment, the power module may be configured to receive data from the camera module in the coupled state and to wirelessly transmit the data to the portable computer device via the wireless communication module in the coupled state.)

1. A wireless external camera system for use with a portable computer device, comprising:

a portable computer device comprising at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a tablet having a total volume of less than twenty cubic inches;

a camera module having an external dimension of less than three cubic inches, wherein the camera module comprises an electrical coupling, a secondary battery, a lens, an image sensor, a circuit board, and a microphone, and wherein the camera module is configured to generate data from at least one of the sensor or the microphone;

a power module having an external dimension of less than twenty cubic inches, wherein the power module comprises a main battery, an electrical input, and a camera receptacle, and wherein the electrical input is configured to receive direct current to charge the main battery, and wherein the battery receptacle comprises a physical camera receptacle and an electrophotographic coupler;

the coupled state includes the camera module being disposed within the physical camera receptacle and the electrical coupling between the electrical coupling of the camera module and the electrogram coupling of the power module;

the detached state includes physically detaching the camera module from the power module;

wherein the portable computer device is configured to wirelessly receive data generated by the camera module; and

wherein the camera module further comprises a wireless communication module, and wherein the camera module is configured to transmit the data to the portable computer device in the detached state.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera module further comprises a memory module configured to record the data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera module comprises a generally cylindrical positive exterior shape and the physical camera receptacle of the power module comprises a generally cylindrical negative shape corresponding to the generally cylindrical positive exterior shape of the camera module.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the electrogram coupler of the power module is disposed on a substantially flat bottom surface of the generally cylindrical negative shape of the physical camera receptacle.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the electrogram coupler of the power module is disposed on a curved side surface of the generally cylindrical negative shape of the physical camera receptacle.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the telecine coupler comprises two electrically independent electrical couplers.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupled state comprises disposing the camera module partially within the physical camera receptacle such that a portion of the camera module is located outside of the power module in three dimensions.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein in the coupled state, a portion of the camera module that is outside of the power module in three dimensions extends at least one-half inch from the power module.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical camera receptacle of the power module has a volume that is less than ninety percent of a volume of the camera module.

10. A wireless external camera system for use with a portable computer device, comprising:

a portable computer device comprising at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a tablet having a total volume of less than twenty cubic inches;

a camera module having an external dimension of less than three cubic inches, wherein the camera module comprises an electrical coupling, a secondary battery, a lens, an image sensor, a circuit board, and a microphone, and wherein the camera module is configured to generate data from at least one of the image sensor or the microphone;

a power module having an external dimension of less than twenty cubic inches, wherein the power module comprises a main battery, an electrical input, and a camera receptacle, and wherein the electrical input is configured to receive direct current to charge the main battery, and wherein the battery receptacle comprises a physical camera receptacle and an electrophotographic coupler;

the coupled state includes the camera module being disposed within the physical camera receptacle and the electrical coupling between the electrical coupling of the camera module and the electrogram coupling of the power module;

the detached state includes physically detaching the camera module from the power module;

wherein the portable computer device is configured to wirelessly receive data generated by the camera module; and

wherein the camera module further comprises a wireless communication module, and wherein the camera module is configured to automatically transmit the data to the portable computer device in the detached state.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupled state comprises electrically transmitting current from a primary battery of the power supply module to a secondary battery of the camera module via an electrical coupling between an electrical coupling of the camera module and an electro-photographic camera coupling of the power supply module.

12. A wireless external camera system for use with a portable computer device, comprising:

a portable computer device comprising at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a tablet having a total volume of less than twenty cubic inches;

a camera module having an external dimension of less than three cubic inches, wherein the camera module comprises an electrical coupling, a secondary battery, a lens, an image sensor, a circuit board, and a microphone, and wherein the camera module is configured to generate data from at least one of the image sensor or the microphone;

a power module having an external dimension of less than twenty cubic inches, wherein the power module comprises a main battery, an electrical input, and a camera receptacle, and wherein the electrical input is configured to receive direct current to charge the main battery, and wherein the battery receptacle comprises a physical camera receptacle and an electrophotographic coupler;

the coupled state includes the camera module being disposed within the physical camera receptacle and the electrical coupling between the electrical coupling of the camera module and the electrogram coupling of the power module;

the detached state includes physically detaching the camera module from the power module;

wherein the portable computer device is configured to wirelessly receive data generated by the camera module; and

wherein the camera module further comprises a memory module configured to record the data;

wherein the camera module further comprises a wireless communication module, and wherein the power module is configured to receive the data from the camera module in the coupled state, and wherein the data is wirelessly transmitted to the portable computer device in the coupled state.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the power module further comprises a memory module configured to record data from the camera module in the coupled state.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the camera module comprises a generally cylindrical positive exterior shape and the physical camera receptacle of the power module comprises a generally cylindrical negative shape corresponding to the generally cylindrical positive exterior shape of the camera module.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the telecine coupler of the power supply module is disposed on a substantially flat bottom surface of the generally cylindrical negative shape of the physical camera receptacle.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the telecine coupler of the power supply module is disposed on a curved side surface of the generally cylindrical negative shape of the physical camera receptacle.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the coupled state includes disposing the camera module partially within the physical camera receptacle such that a portion of the camera module is located outside of the power module in three dimensions.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein in the coupled state, a portion of the camera module that is outside of the power module in three dimensions extends at least one-half inch from the power module.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the physical camera receptacle of the power module has a volume that is less than ninety percent of a volume of the camera module.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the power module is configured to automatically transmit data to the portable computer device via the wireless communication module in the coupled state.

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to wireless camera systems. In particular, the invention relates to a wireless camera system comprising a camera module and a power module configured to independently or cooperatively wirelessly transmit data to a portable computer device system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/463,759, filed on 27.2.2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Portable Computing Devices (PCDs), such as smartphones, tablet phones, tablet computers, and the like, are ubiquitous in the industrialized world. The PCD has the characteristics of independent communication and computer processing. For example, a PCD includes a radio capable of wireless communication over one or more data frequencies (i.e., cellular, bluetooth, Wi-Fi). The PCD also includes computer components, including processors, power supplies, memory modules, and the like, that enable the PCD to operate independently of other computing devices.

PCDs include various input components, such as cameras, touch screens, biometric sensors, connectors, microphones, etc., enabling a user to input data into the PCD via various media. For example, a user may input video data or photo data via an integrated camera within the PCD. The PCD may then process and display the video data or the photo data on an output component such as a display screen. The processing of data may include selective manipulation via various applications or application programs.

Conventional PCD-based integrated camera assemblies are limited in their operation and utility. Most PCDs include one or more integrated photo and/or video camera components. However, the integrated camera component is inherently limited to a location on the PCD device. Thus, in order to capture an image and view real-time input of the photo/video component on the display screen of the PCD, users are inherently limited in the location and orientation of the photo/video component. Likewise, capturing video over a period of time by requiring the user to physically position the entire PCD in a manner that captures the desired video perspective is also cumbersome.

Such asExternal camera assemblies, such as types of devices, provide convenient positioning, but do require the transmission of cumbersome data to one or more computing devices. Many external components transfer data onto a digital medium that cannot be transferred directly into the PCD without additional components (e.g., SD cards). Thus, conventional external cameras are not able to efficiently transfer data to the PCD while allowing optimal positioning for data recording.

Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a wireless camera system that integrates with a portable computing device to provide optimal positioning and efficient wireless data transfer.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless camera system including a camera module and a power module configured to wirelessly transmit data to a portable computing device. The portable computer device may be a smartphone, tablet, or tablet phone having a total volume of less than twenty cubic inches. The camera module may have an outer dimension of less than three cubic inches and may further include an electrical coupler, a secondary battery, a lens, an image sensor, a circuit board, and a microphone. The camera module may be configured to generate data from an image sensor or a microphone. The power module may have an outer dimension of less than twenty cubic inches and may further include a main battery, an electrical input, and a camera socket. The electrical input may be configured to receive direct current to charge the main battery, and the battery receptacle may include both a physical camera receptacle and an electrophotographic coupler. The system can include a coupled state in which the camera module is disposed within the physical camera receptacle and an electrical coupling disposed between the electrical coupling of the camera module and the electrogram coupling of the power module. The system may include a detached state in which the camera module is physically separated or independent from the power module. The portable computer device may be configured to wirelessly receive data generated by the camera module. In a first embodiment, the camera module may further comprise a wireless communication module configured to wirelessly transmit data to the portable computer device in the detached state. In a second embodiment, the power module may be configured to receive data from the camera module in the coupled state and wirelessly transmit the data to the portable computer device in the coupled state via the wireless communication module.

Embodiments of the present invention represent a significant advancement in the field of wireless camera systems. Conventional external camera systems typically cannot include an integrated wireless transmission system, making the data transmission process cumbersome. Also, some external camera systems require physical wiring between the camera module and the portable computer system, making data capture cumbersome. Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable camera system that optimizes functionality in data capture and transmission to a portable computer device. A first embodiment relates to a "smart camera" in which both data capture and data transmission are handled by a camera module. In the first embodiment, the power supply module serves as a "dumb component" only for charging the battery in the camera module. A second embodiment relates to a "smart power module" in which the camera module must record data as it is captured and then transmit the data directly to the power module through an electrical link. The power module may then wirelessly transmit the data to the portable computer device. The novel integration of the camera module and the power supply module enables both the optimal camera function and the data transfer function, which is not present in the prior art.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Additionally, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

Drawings

The following description of the invention can be understood in light of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific aspects of the invention and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the drawings illustrate and explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, the physical dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals denote the same elements in different drawings, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 1A to 1C show schematic diagrams of a wireless camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 2A to 2C show schematic views of a wireless camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a wireless camera system including a camera module and a power module configured to wirelessly transmit data to a portable computing device. The portable computer device may be a smartphone, tablet, or tablet phone having a total volume of less than twenty cubic inches. The camera module may have an outer dimension of less than three cubic inches and may further include an electrical coupling, a second battery, a lens, an image sensor, a circuit board, and a microphone. The camera module may be configured to generate data from an image sensor or a microphone. The power module may have an outer dimension of less than twenty cubic inches and may further include a main battery, an electrical input, and a camera socket. The electrical input may be configured to receive direct current to charge the main battery, and the battery receptacle may include both a physical camera receptacle and an electrophotographic coupler. The system can include a coupled state in which the camera module is disposed within the physical camera receptacle and an electrical coupling disposed between the electrical coupling of the camera module and the electrogram coupling of the power module. The system may include a detached state in which the camera module is physically separated or independent from the power module. The portable computer device may be configured to wirelessly receive data generated by the camera module. In a first embodiment, the camera module may further comprise a wireless communication module configured to wirelessly transmit data to the portable computer device in the detached state. In a second embodiment, the power module may be configured to receive data from the camera module in the coupled state and wirelessly transmit the data to the portable computer device in the coupled state via the wireless communication module. Additionally, although embodiments are described with reference to a visual camera system, it should be understood that the teachings of the present invention may be applied to other fields, including but not limited to other sensing systems such as audio, position, motion, infrared, microscopy, and the like.

Referring initially to fig. 1A-1C, fig. 1A-1C illustrate a schematic diagram of a wireless camera system, indicated generally at 100, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated system 100 includes a Portable Computer Device (PCD)160, a camera module 120, and a power module 140. The portable computer device 160 may be any small portable computing device that includes integrated wireless data transfer functionality, a power source, a display screen, and at least one user input device. In addition, PCD is defined as having a form factor of less than twenty cubic inches. Examples of PCDs include, but are not limited to, smart phones, minicomputers, e-readers, tablets, or tablet phones. Camera module 120 is an external unit having a form factor of less than three cubic inches. As shown in fig. 1A, in a first embodiment, the camera module 120 may include a battery, lens, sensor, accelerometer, memory, wife/bluetooth antenna, microphone, and/or processor. Components of the camera module are configured to capture audio data, video data, and position data from the microphone, the sensor, and the accelerometer, respectively. Camera module 120 may further include an electrical coupler configured to engage with a power module. As shown in fig. 1A, in the first embodiment, the power supply module 140 may include a battery and a CPU (central processing unit). The power module 140 may further include a camera receptacle including an electric camera coupler and a physical camera receptacle.

In the detached state (fig. 1B), the camera module 120 may be configured to wirelessly transmit the data 180 to the PCD 160 via a Wi-Fi or bluetooth connection. The wireless transmission of data 180 may be continuous or intermittent depending on the transmission mode. Various well-known data transfer protocols may be incorporated, such as buffering, packing, indexing, encryption, and the like. Additionally, the wireless data transmission 180 may include 2-way communications, enabling the PCD 160 to affect data capture and/or transmission. For example, the PCD 160 may instruct a camera to wirelessly transmit only audio data while recording video data and location data.

In the coupled state (fig. 1C), the camera module 120 is coupled with the power module 140 via the camera socket 130. The coupling between camera module 120 and power module 140 includes both electrical and physical coupling. The electrical coupling includes an electrical coupling between an electrical coupling of the camera module 120 and an electrical camera coupling of the power module 140. The physical coupling includes a physical coupling of camera module 120 within a physical camera receptacle of power module 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the physical camera receptacle is an external generally cylindrically shaped recess configured to receive and support camera module 120. It should be understood that the physical coupling between camera module 120 and power module 140 is also configured to engage the electrical coupling between camera module 120 and power module 140. For example, camera module 120 electrical coupler may be disposed at the bottom end as shown, and power module camera electrical coupler may be disposed at the interior bottom of the cylindrical recess. Thus, positioning the camera module 120 within the recess of the power module 140 will automatically engage the electrical coupling therebetween. The power supply module 140 further comprises an electrical input 150, through which electrical input 150 the battery of the power supply module can be charged. The electrical input 150 may be any type of electrical coupling, such as USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, or the like. A user may selectively charge the battery of the power module by connecting the electrical input 150 to a power source such as an AC outlet or other direct current power source (i.e., a USB power outlet).

Referring next to fig. 2A-2C, fig. 2A-2C illustrate a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a wireless camera system, indicated generally at 200. The illustrated system 200 also includes a Portable Computer Device (PCD)260, a camera module 220, and a power module 260. The portable computer device 260 may be any small portable computing device that includes integrated wireless data transfer functionality, a power source, a display screen, and at least one user input device. Which includes integrated wireless data transfer functionality, a power source, a display screen, and at least one user input device. In addition, PCD is defined as having a form factor of less than twenty cubic inches. Examples of PCDs include, but are not limited to, smart phones, minicomputers, e-readers, tablets, or tablet phones. Camera module 220 is an external unit having a form factor of less than three cubic inches. In a second embodiment, as shown in fig. 2A, the camera module 220 may include a battery, a lens, a sensor, an accelerometer, a memory, and a microphone. Components of the camera module are configured to capture audio data, video data, and position data from the microphone, the sensor, and the accelerometer, respectively. Camera module 120 may further include an electrical coupler configured to engage with power module 240. In a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the power module 240 may include a battery, a processor, a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna, and a memory. The power module 240 may further include a camera receptacle including an electric camera coupler and a physical camera receptacle.

In the detached state (fig. 2B), camera module 220 may be configured to independently capture and store data. Camera module 220 may include one or more buttons to allow a user to control the data capture and storage of camera module 220. For example, a user may be able to selectively engage/disengage the capture and recording of audio data, video data, and/or positioning data by pressing one or more buttons located external to the camera module (not shown). In addition, camera module 220 may utilize one or more sensors to control the parameters. For example, an accelerometer may be used to correlate the motion of camera module 220 with the activation of the capture and recording of audio data, video data, and/or position data. In the disconnected state, the power module 240 may be electrically connected to an external power source via the electrical input 250. The power module 240 also includes an electrical input 250 through which the battery of the power module can be charged. The electrical input 250 may be any type of electrical coupling, such as USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, or the like. The user may selectively charge the battery of the power module by connecting the electrical input 250 to another power source, such as an AC outlet or a direct current power source (i.e., a USB power outlet).

In the coupled state (fig. 1C), camera module 220 is coupled with power module 240 via camera receptacle 230. The coupling between camera module 220 and power module 240 includes both electrical and physical couplings. The electrical coupling includes an electrical coupling between an electrical coupling of the camera module 220 and an electrical camera coupling of the power module 240. The physical coupling includes the physical coupling of camera module 220 within a physical camera receptacle of power module 240. In the illustrated embodiment, the physical camera receptacle is a generally cylindrical outer shape recess configured to receive and support camera module 220. It should be understood that the physical coupling between camera module 220 and power module 240 is also configured to engage the electrical coupling between camera module 220 and power module 240. For example, a camera module 220 electrical coupler may be disposed at the bottom end as shown, and a power module camera electrical coupler may be disposed on the interior bottom of the cylindrical recess. Thus, positioning camera module 220 within the recess of power module 240 will automatically engage the electrical coupling therebetween. Unlike the first embodiment, the electrical coupling between camera module 220 and power module 240 also causes the camera module to transmit data from the memory of camera module 220 to power module 240. The power module 240 may then wirelessly transmit 280 the data to the PCD 260. The power module 240 may optionally be configured to also record data on the memory of the power module 240. It should be understood that the wireless transmissions 280 between the power module 240 and the PCD 260 may be bidirectional or unidirectional. The two-way wireless communication may include the ability of PCD 260 to alter the functionality of camera module 220 and/or power module 240.

It should be understood that embodiments of the camera module may incorporate processing of the raw video stream captured by the image sensor. These steps may include demosaicing, color correction, gamma correction, local contrast enhancement, noise filtering, and sharpening. Video compression may be employed before the video stream is saved to memory. Video processing and compression are typically the most power consuming operations of the camera. To conserve power in the camera module and thus reduce its size, some or all of the processing and compression may be moved to the power module or PCD. In one embodiment, the camera module will only store raw image sensor data and the power module and/or PCD will do all video processing and compression. Alternatively, the camera module may perform only preliminary processing and compression. For example, the camera module may process only motion JPEG to eliminate the need for a DRAM chip on the camera module. In this case, the power module and/or PCD may perform secondary processing and compression, such as completing compression of the stream. Alternatively, the camera module may perform most of the processing and compression, while the power module and/or PCD performs some secondary final processing, such as Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS).

It should be noted that various alternative system designs may be practiced in accordance with the present invention, including one or more portions or concepts of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or described above. Various other embodiments have been contemplated, including all or a partial combination of the above embodiments.