EP1119958A1 - Camera system remotely controlled over a communications network - Google Patents

Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N7/00—Television systems
  • H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
  • H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
  • H04N7/185—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
  • H04N23/66—Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
  • H04N23/661—Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
  • H04M11/007—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with remote control systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
  • H04M11/04—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Definitions

• This invention relates to a communication system and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a visual and audio communication system.
• a communication system comprising a video camera connectable to a portable wireless transceiver for transmitting a video signal from the video camera to a signal repeater from where the video signal is transmitted over a communication system to a second transceiver arranged to display the video signal on a display means, and a first control device connectable to the second transceiver for transmitting a control signal over the telephony communication system to the signal repeater and from the signal repeater to the portable wireless transceiver and to a second control device connected to the portable transceiver.
• a further feature of the invention provides for the communication system to be a telephony communication system.
• first and second control devices are audio communication devices.
• the first control device to electronically control the video camera and to at least control the azimuth and elevation of the video camera.
• a still further feature of the invention provides for the signal repeater to be located in an aeroplane for relaying video and/or control signals between a remote site and a base station.
• a further feature of the invention provides for the first audio communication device to be a microphone and for the second audio communication device to be a loudspeaker or vice versa; alternatively, for both the first and second communication devices to have a microphone and a loudspeaker each to allow for two way audio communication.
• the telephony communication system prefferably, for the telephony communications system to be a cellular telephony communication system; further alternatively for the telephony communication device to be a satellite telephony system.
• the microphone of the second communication device is a microphone of the video camera.
• This invention extends to a method of inspecting a remote site comprising the steps of connecting a video camera and at least a loudspeaker to a portable wireless transceiver, connecting a signal repeater at a remote site to a telephony communication system, connecting a second transceiver at a base station to the telephony communication system, connecting a display means to the transceiver and connecting a microphone to the second transceiver, displaying a video signal from the video camera at the remote site on the display means and transmitting a control signal from the first control device to the second control device.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a communication system
• Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a communication system.
• the communication system consists of a video camera (2), a first and second control devices (8) and (9), a portable wireless transceiver (3), a signal repeater (4), a telephony communication system (5), a second transceiver (6) and a display means (7).
• the display means (7) is a computer screen.
• the first and second control devices (8) and (9) are audio communication devices which consists of headsets with a microphone each and each having a loudspeaker.
• the video camera (2) and second audio communication device or second headset (9) is connected to the portable wireless transceiver (3) for use at a remote location (10).
• the signal repeater (4) is connected to the telephony communication system (5) at the remote location (10).
• the second transceiver (6) is connected at a base station (11) to the telephony communication system (5) to allow for communication between the remote location (10) and the base station (11).
• the first audio communication device or first headset (8) and the display means (7) is connected to the second transceiver (6).
• the video camera (2) transmits a video signal to the portable wireless transceiver (3) which then transmits the video signal to the signal repeater (4).
• the signal repeater (4) receives the video signal and transmits it over the telephony communication system (5) to the second transceiver (6).
• the second transceiver (6) now causes the video signal to be displayed on the computer screen (7).
• a voice signal is also transmitted from the first headset (8) to the second transceiver (6) which then transmits the voice signal over the telephony communication system (5) to the signal repeater (4). From the signal repeater (4), the voice signal is transmitted to the portable wireless receiver (3) and to the second headset (9).
• a camera operator at the remote location (10) can transmit video images of the remote location (10) to the base station (11).
• a person at the base station (11) can transmit verbal instructions to the camera operator at the remote location (10). Any remote location can thus be inspected by a person at a base station. This obviates the need for such a person to be physically present at the remote location to conduct an inspection.
• a two way voice communication link can also be established between the camera operator and the person at the base station (11).
• a voice signal can also be transmitted from the second headset (9) to the first headset (8) through the communication system (1).
• the camera does not have to be operated by a human operator.
• the camera may be mounted on an adjustable mounting means at a site to be inspected.
• An electronic control signal from the first control device which may be a computer may then control the view direction, ie panning and tilt, of the camera and other functions of the camera itself.
• the camera may also be mounted such that the direction in which it points does not have to be changed or cannot be changed. Camera functions only may then be controllable from a base station.
• the telephony communication system used may be based on land telephone lines, cellular telephone systems or satellite telephone systems as is known in the art.
• a camera using a digital video disk or the like may also be used.
• FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a communication system.
• a second portable display means (12) is connected to the first transceiver (3).
• a wireless connection is established between the second transceiver (6) and a third transceiver (13).
• the display means (7) and the second control device (8) are now connected to the third transceiver (13).
• the display means (7) is a portable display means.
• a second video camera (14) is also connected to the third transceiver (13).
• the communication system shown in figure 2 in effect replaces the components of the base station (11) of figure 1 with the components of the remote location (10) of figure 1.
• the display means (7) is now portable and a similar portable display means is connected to the first transceiver (3) of the remote location (10) of figure 1.
• the remote location (10) and base station (11) are no longer clearly distinguishable and any end of the communication system of figure 2 can act as either a base station or a remote location.
• a operator at one end can view what the operator at the other end is filming and vice versa.
• Non-portable display means (15) can be connected as shown to show images being shot by any one of the video cameras.
• Recording means (16) may also be used to record images and/or control signals and/or voice signals on magnetic tape or on any other convenient recording media.
• a series of first (3) and third (13) transceivers each having a camera (2) and (14), a portable display (12) and (7) and a headset (9) and (8) connected thereto, are employed.
• Other electronic control means may replace the headsets (9) and (8) to electronically control azimuth and elevation of a camera, zoom function of a camera or any other controllable function of a camera.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Description

Claims

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=25587310

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (8)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1999
  • 1999-10-05 EP EP99952049A patent/EP1119958A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1999-10-05 AU AU64351/99A patent/AU6435199A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-10-05 CA CA002346667A patent/CA2346667A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-10-05 WO PCT/ZA1999/000106 patent/WO2000021269A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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