IP Verse

Portable Digital Video Camera Configured For Remote Image Acquisition Control And Viewing

Patent No. US12206983 (titled "Portable Digital Video Camera Configured For Remote Image Acquisition Control And Viewing") was filed by Contour Ip Holding Llc on Oct 3, 2022.

What is this patent about?

’983 is related to the field of wearable action cameras , specifically those designed for point-of-view (POV) recording in sports. The background involves the evolution from tethered lens systems connected to separate recorders to integrated, hands-free cameras. Prior art cameras often lacked convenient remote control and data integration capabilities, requiring users to devise their own mounting solutions and lacking synchronized data capture.

The underlying idea behind ’983 is to create a self-contained, wearable video camera that integrates wireless communication (Bluetooth) and non-audio sensor data (e.g., GPS) directly into the video recording process. This allows for remote control of the camera, real-time data overlay on the video stream, and synchronized capture of location and other sensor information alongside the video, enhancing the user experience and providing valuable context to the footage.

The claims of ’983 focus on a video camera comprising a lens, an image sensor, at least one non-audio data sensor, a wireless connection protocol device, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive image data and non-audio sensor data, generate an encoded video data stream, transmit the video stream wirelessly to a remote device, combine the non-audio sensor data with the video stream, store the video stream and sensor data as separate tracks in memory, and generate time-synchronizing data to align the tracks. The camera acts as a media server, enabling access to the combined video stream.

In practice, the camera captures video and simultaneously records data from sensors like GPS. This data is not directly embedded within the video frames but is stored as a separate track within the video file. The Bluetooth connectivity allows a user to start/stop recording remotely, adjust camera settings, and even preview the video feed on a smartphone. The time-synchronizing data ensures that the sensor data is accurately aligned with the corresponding video frames during playback or post-processing.

This approach differentiates itself from earlier cameras by providing a tightly integrated system for capturing and managing video and sensor data. Instead of relying on external devices or post-processing steps to combine data, ’983 streamlines the process by handling data synchronization and storage internally. The use of separate tracks for video and sensor data offers flexibility in post-processing, allowing users to selectively display or analyze the sensor data without altering the original video content. The wireless control and data streaming capabilities further enhance the user experience, making it easier to capture and share action footage with rich contextual information.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’983 was filed, first-person video cameras were a relatively new product category adapted to capture POV video by action sports enthusiasts in a hands-free manner at a time when conventional first-person video cameras typically comprised a lens that must be tethered to a separate digital video recorder or camcorder. Systems commonly relied on separate components connected by wires rather than integrated wireless solutions. Hardware or software constraints made intelligent frame analysis and picture setup optimization on multiple cameras simultaneously non-trivial.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner allowed the claims because, in consideration of the amended claims, the features are found or suggested in the cited prior art references, but there is no strong motivation or reasoning found at the time of the invention to combine all prior art references or modify the teachings of the prior art references to arrive at the claimed invention, either singularly or in combination. Further, the applicant prepared and filed the terminal disclaimer to overcome a provisional rejection based on a non-statutory double patenting ground.

Claims

This patent contains 24 claims, with independent claims 1, 13, and 24. The independent claims are directed to a video camera and a method for capturing video, focusing on combining video data with non-audio sensor data and synchronizing the data streams. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, components, and functionalities related to the video camera and the video capturing method.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Combined video stream
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 24)		“The patent does not explicitly define 'combined video stream'. However, the claims indicate that the combined video stream is formed by combining the first non-audio sensor data with the at least one encoded video data stream.”A video stream that includes both encoded video data and non-audio sensor data.
Encoded video data stream
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 24)		“In some embodiments, a video encoder that cooperates with image sensor 18 and a microprocessor provides instructions to the video encoder. In some embodiments, switch activator 80 is adapted to substantially simultaneously control supply of power to the microprocessor, image sensor 18, and the video encoder, such that when switch activator 80 is placed in the ON position the microprocessor, image sensor 18, and the video encoder all receive power substantially concurrently and thereby substantially instantaneously initiate a video data capturing operation.”A stream of video data that has been processed by a video encoder.
Non-audio data sensor
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 24)		“Preferred embodiments of a portable digital video camera or camcorder (hereinafter collectively, “video camera”) are equipped with global positioning system (GPS) technology for data acquisition and wireless connection protocol to provide remote image acquisition control and viewing. A GPS receiver integrated in the video camera enables tracking of the location of the video camera as it acquires image information. The GPS receiver enables periodic capture of location once every few seconds with near pinpoint accuracy to bring together video and mapping.”A sensor that produces data related to the video camera, where the data is not audio. Examples include GPS.
Time-synchronizing data
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 24)		“The patent does not explicitly define 'time-synchronizing data'. However, it is implied that this data is generated to correlate the video and sensor data, enabling synchronized playback or analysis.”Data used to align the video track with the non-audio sensor data track.
Wireless connection protocol device
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 24)		“Preferred embodiments of a portable digital video camera or camcorder (hereinafter collectively, “video camera”) are equipped with global positioning system (GPS) technology for data acquisition and wireless connection protocol to provide remote image acquisition control and viewing. A wireless connection protocol, such as the Bluetooth® packet-based open wireless technology standard protocol, is used to provide control signals or stream data to a wearable video camera and to access image content stored on or streaming from a wearable video camera.”A device that enables wireless communication for control signals, data streaming, and access to image content.

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US12206983

CONTOUR IP HOLDING LLC
Application Number
US17937753
Filing Date
Oct 3, 2022
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Sep 13, 2031
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents