Multi-Featured Miniature Camera

Abstract

The present invention proposes a multi-featured miniature camera. The components of the camera mainly comprise of an image capturing means, multiple activating means, an infrared radiating means, a microphone, multiple Bluetooth connection means, an identification chip means, a wireless power charging means, a wireless data transfer means, an image processing means and a location determination means. The camera provides wireless power and data transfer, image recognition, Push-To-Talk (PTT) function, multiple Bluetooth communication etc. This multi-featured camera is mounted on different application areas such as on the helmet of police officers, sport players, firefighters etc. The camera body is designed in such a way, that it easily fits on the helmet.

Claims

1. A multi-featured miniature camera comprises: an image capturing means to capture images, wherein the image capturing means comprises at least one rotatable lens; multiple activating means to activate multiple features; an infrared radiating means to capture IR images; at least one microphone to accomplish multiple tasks; multiple Bluetooth connection means to connect multiple Bluetooth enabled accessories; an identification chip means to enable mobile communication; a wireless power charging means and a wireless data transfer means to charge power and to transfer data wirelessly; an image processing means to process image recognition of captured images; and a location determination means to track location of camera.

2. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said image capturing means can capture images of either moving or still images.

3. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said miniature camera is of light weight and is in the range of 100 grams to 140 grams.

4. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said images are captured either automatically through IR sensor or manually through a button provided on the camera.

5. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said multiple tasks may comprise noise reduction, Push-To-Talk (PTT) function and video and audio recording.

6. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said multiple Bluetooth enabled accessories may comprise an ear-piece, a mouthpiece and a finger ring.

7. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 6, wherein said finger ring comprises an activation button that assists in activating Push-To-Talk (PTT) function.

8. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said multiple Bluetooth enabled accessories are connected either simultaneously or individually.

9. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said identification chip means is a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

10. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless power charging means is a magnetic power charging and wherein said wireless data transfer means is a magnetic data transfer.

11. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein data transfer through said wireless data transfer means include the transfer of moving or still images.

12. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 11, wherein said data transfer may utilize cluster communication to transfer the moving or still images.

13. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said location determination means is a Global Positioning System (GPS).

14. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said miniature camera is water resistant and the camera can go up to 10 feet depth in water.

15. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein live streaming of said captured images can be accomplished through WI-FI or SIM card.

16. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said miniature camera can be wearable by a user.

17. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said miniature camera can be mounted on a helmet.

18. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said miniature camera may comprise a contour design to align with the helmet.

19. The multi-featured miniature camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said multi-featured miniature camera helps the user during search operations.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary view of the multi-featured miniature camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of the exemplary camera according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a back perspective view of the exemplary camera according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an exemplary simplified block diagram of the multi-featured miniature camera, illustrating various features.

[0022] FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of wireless data transfer using cluster communication.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates the multiple placement of the camera on a helmet.

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a multiple Bluetooth connection means that connects multiple Bluetooth enabled accessories.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps.

[0026] For explanatory purposes of this description, the term camera is intended to cover different types of cameras and camcorders. The exemplary miniature camera is designed to mount on a helmet and configured to record either visual or audio data. Referring to FIG. 1, the exemplary multi-featured miniature camera 100 comprises a camera body 101, an image capturing means 102, a rotatable lens 103 and multiple activating means such as buttons or switches 104. The camera body 101 is formed into a contour design to easily align and fit onto the helmet. This mainly aids users in police search operations, sports, firefighting etc.

[0027] The image capturing means 102 is configured to capture either moving or still images. The image capturing means 102 comprises a rotatable lens 103. The camera 100 may comprise second rotatable lens which is not shown in the figure. Thus, the camera 100 is configured with two rotatable lenses to effect the photographic image in a predetermined predictable manner. The buttons 104 are configured on the side part of the camera body 101 to activate multiple features. The other components that are configured within the camera 100 are a speaker and a USB port which may support OTG cable, power charging and data transfer.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the front view of the camera 200 comprises a rotatable lens 201, a light source 202, a first infrared light source 203, a second infrared light source 204, a photo-sensitivity sensor 205, a recorder button 206, an image capturing button 207, an on/off button 208, an identification chip activation button 209, an infrared activation button 210, a speaker 211 and a wireless communication 212 i.e., Wi-Fi.

[0029] The camera 200 may include the light source 202 as an indicator. The light source 202 can be placed on the desired side of the camera 200. The white light source can be utilized as the indicator. The other coloured light sources can be utilized instead of white light source. This provides the indication of different functions of the camera components. Further, other types of indications such as audible or tactile feedbacks can be configured within the camera 200. The first and second infrared light sources 203 and 204 allow for the IR image capturing which is accomplished either automatically or manually through infrared activation button 210. The photo-sensitivity sensor 205 assists in adjusting the light sensitivity of the image to be captured. The recorder button 206 allows for recording the audio and video. The identification chip activation button 209 allows for the communication, through Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The speaker 211 allows to carry out either Push-To-Talk communication or sim card communication.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the back view of the camera 300 comprises an identification chip slot 301, a wireless power charging USB port 302 and a earpiece button 303. The identification chip slot 301 allows for the insertion of the SIM card. The wireless power charging USB port 302 is configured to charge the camera battery wirelessly. The earpiece button 303 is configured to activate the wireless earpiece manually.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the block diagram of the multi-featured miniature camera 400 comprises an image capturing means 401 with rotatable lens, buttons 402, an infrared radiating (IR) means 403, a microphone 404, multiple Bluetooth connection means 405, an identification chip means i.e., Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card 406, a wireless power charging means i.e., magnetic power charging means 407, a wireless data transfer means i.e., magnetic data transfer means 408, an image processing means 409, a location determination means i.e., GPS 410, an additional wireless communication i.e., Wi-Fi 411, a battery 412 and a USB port 413.

[0032] The buttons 402 are configured to activate multiple features of the camera 400. The features include image capturing, recording, infrared image capturing, Push-To-Talk, GPS, Wi-Fi, live streaming, real time transfer etc. The IR means 403 is configured to capture IR images either automatically or manually. The automatic activation of the IR means 403 is achieved by providing an IR sensor, whereas manual activation is achieved through the buttons provided on the camera 400. The microphone 404 configured may comprise three components to accomplish multiple tasks such as noise reduction, Push-To-Talk (PTT) function and video and audio recordings.

[0033] The multiple Bluetooth connection means 405 is configured to connect multiple Bluetooth enabled accessories such as an ear-piece, a mouthpiece and a finger ring. The multiple Bluetooth enabled accessories can be connected either simultaneously or individually based on the requirement. The Bluetooth enabled accessories such as an ear-piece and a mouthpiece may assist the user, either during the mobile communication or during PTT communication. The finger ring assists the user, mainly to activate the PTT communication. The SIM card 406 is configured to enable the mobile communication and to broadcast live streaming of the moving images.

[0034] The magnetic power charging means 407 is configured to charge the power to the camera 400 wirelessly and the magnetic data transfer means 408 is configured to transfer data wirelessly. To carry out the magnetic charging and the magnetic data transfer, the camera 400 may be equipped with transmitting and receiving coils. The image processing means 409 is configured to process the image recognition of the captured images which may involve the detection of size of the deviation of specific image from the predetermined reference position, magnitude of the deviation and thereof.

[0035] The GPS 410 is configured to track location of the camera 400 and to record the time and location of the recorded audio and video data. The wireless communication Wi-Fi 411 can be utilized to broadcast live streaming of the moving images, to connect other electronic device etc. The battery 412 may be a rechargeable battery that is charged wirelessly through USB port 413.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 5, the wireless data transfer i.e., transfer of moving or still images can be achieved using cluster communication technology 500. A collection of the moving or still images 501 can be easily transferred or shared to a new group 503 or an existing group 504 through the cluster communication 502. The images can be sent to the new group 503 by creating the group with the addition of certain devices, whereas the images can be sent to the existing group 504 by selecting the already created group.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 6, a user wearable helmet 601 is depicted with two or more cameras 602 placement especially to cover multiple directions during search operations.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7, a multiple Bluetooth connection means is illustrated in connection with three Bluetooth enabled accessories 700. FIG. 7 represents the camera which is equipped with the multiple Bluetooth connection means 701. The multiple Bluetooth connection means 701 is capable of connecting two or more Bluetooth enabled accessories either simultaneously or individually. The Bluetooth enabled accessories depicted in the figure are an earpiece 702, a mouthpiece 703 and a finger ring 704. The finger ring 704 is provided with an activation button that assists in activating the Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication.

[0039] For example, when a Push-To-Talk (PTT) function is to be carried out, the user may simply press the activating button provided on the finger ring 704. The multiple Bluetooth connection means 701 then receives the activation signal and activates the PTT communication. At the same time, to carry out the PTT communication, the multiple Bluetooth connection means 701, also activates the earpiece 702 and the mouthpiece 703.

[0040] Thus, the miniature camera with multiple improved features is mounted on multiple application areas such as on helmets of police officers, sport players, firefighters etc. It incorporates with a contour design that assists to easily fit on the helmet. Multiple Bluetooth connection means allow the camera to connect with multiple Bluetooth enabled accessories either individually or simultaneously. In addition, the camera also includes image recognition process and cluster communication.

[0041] The invention mainly aims to provide a helmet mounted camera which can be mounted on the helmet of the police officers, firefighters, traffic police officers, and it aims at providing underground mining detection, real-time navigation positioning function, a hands-free voice communication, projection display and thereof. The other application areas where the camera can be mounted include face masks, face guards or other suitable structures. The camera can be mounted on the exterior surface of the helmets or made as an integral part of the helmet. The camera can be integrated either during the manufacturing or during the assembly process of the helmet. The camera can be added to the docking station which assists to recharge the battery and also can be recharged with external battery pack. The camera is configured to be water resistant where the camera can go up to 10 feet depth in water.

[0042] The proposed multi-featured miniature camera, even though explained as a helmet wearable device, but also can be implemented in other application areas where a lesser size camera with multi features and high performance is required. The camera may be compatible to incorporate the SIM card with either existed supporting technology or upgraded technology to carry out the mobile communication or live streaming. To further implement data security, a secret key or a password can be maintained, so that the camera can be connected to other electronic devices with the user authentication.

[0043] The camera body can further include different designs other than contour design based on the requirement. The buttons employed on the camera body may comprise of a push-type, touch-type, rotary-type etc. The Bluetooth enabled accessory can include any electronic device which is capable enough to communicate via Bluetooth. The magnetic power or data transfer means may include additional component that aids in wireless transfer other than USB port. The other features of the camera include water resistant, wide memory storage and multiple wireless communications such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and any one or combination of 2G or 3G or 4G. The camera design allows it to easily fit on the helmet and ensures stable image capturing.

[0044] Further, the GPS is provided with a receiver which is integrated to enable tracking of the location of the camera and periodic capture of the location to in turn acquire image information. This assists the capturing and transmitting of the images in real-time with the provision of the details of the captured image such as location, speed, time and thereof.

[0045] The invention thereby aims to provide a compact and lightweight, easy to carry, simple operated helmet cameras which mainly overcome the shortcomings of the traditional video evidence equipment. The camera provides a real-time video synchronization of the situation on the spot and simple & easy to use features. The dual lens allows the camera to cover wide field of view and to achieve enhanced image clarity. Further, the helmet can be manufactured with multiple additional mounting portions which may further allow to mount either an additional camera or to detachably mount the existing camera. The camera placement can be modified based on the requirement of the application area.

[0046] It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the processes described in the foregoing examples without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.