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`101488.0002US1
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`Recording Device With Pre-Start Signal Storage Capability
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`PTO/SB/14 (02-07)
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`PTO/SB/14 (02-07)
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`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
`
`RECORDING DEVICE WITH
`PRE-START SIGNAL STORAGE CAPABILITY
`
`[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application ser. no. 60/824095 filed August
`
`31,2006.
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The field of the invention is surveillance cameras.
`
`Background
`
`[0003] It is often desirable to record an unexpected event ( automobile accident, baseball hit,
`
`quick kiss, facial expression, etc), but by the time someone pulls out a camera and focuses on the
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`target, the moment is gone. This problem has long been addressed in the surveillance industry
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`by recording continuously for long periods of time. It is not unusual, for example, for banks or
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`other secure facilities to capture and maintain day after day of surveillance tapes. The downside,
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`of course, is that continuous recordings are costly in terms of equipment, storage, bulkiness, and
`
`so forth. Moreover, continuous recording is especially unsuitable for small recording devices
`
`such as those carried on eyeglasses.
`
`[0004] US 6163338 to Johnson et al. (Dec. 2000) focused on the problem of filming automobile
`
`accidents. Instead of trying to record millions of frames over long periods of time, Johnson tried
`
`to solve the problem by continuously storing the most recent images in a small looping (circular)
`
`memory. Upon actuation of a trigger, the system protects the most recently used portion of the
`
`memory, and overwrites an older portion. Thus, upon receiving a trigger signal from an acci(cid:173)
`
`dent, a 30 second memory might end up storing 20 seconds before and 10 seconds after the
`
`accident.
`
`[0005] A looping memory of a device according to Johnson is depicted in prior art Figure 1.
`
`There a small looping memory 11 records frames or other data from a data stream "A". Each
`character initiates a small time period, perhaps five seconds, with the "I" character designating
`the current writing position. When the memory finishes writing to the last position, it returns to
`
`the first position and over-writes previously stored data. Upon receipt of a start signal (such as
`
`by actuation of a trigger), the memory continues looping for some period of time (corresponding
`
`1
`
`

`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
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`to perhaps a third of the memory capacity), and then stops recording altogether. The recorded
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`memory is protected until it is offloaded or reset.
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`[0006] Johnson and all other referenced extrinsic materials are incorporated herein by reference
`
`in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent
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`or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided
`
`herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
`
`[0007] One problem with Johnson is that the system can only store images from a very short
`
`time period. US 2004/0033058 to Reich et al. (publ. Feb. 2004) contemplates an improvement
`
`that tries to solve that problem by using two different memories, a small (900 frame) looping
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`buffer and a larger flash memory. In Reich, the trigger signal (record button) causes the buffer to
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`be completely filled, and then additional images to be written to the flash memory until a stop
`
`button is pushed.
`
`[0008] The Reich system is depicted in prior art Figures 2A-2B. In Figure 2A, a small looping
`buffer 21 records data from data stream "A", with the current position marked with "I". The"_"
`character is used to initiate memory that has not been used, or has been used but has been
`
`marked for overwriting. In Figure 2B, a start signal has been received, and the system responded
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`by filling the buffer, and then starting to fill a flash memory 22. Regardless of whether the flash
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`memory is eventually filled, both the buffer 21 and the flash memory 22 are effectively locked
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`(protected) upon receipt of a stop signal.
`
`[0009] From Figures 1 and 2A-2B, one can readily appreciate that both Johnson and Reich can
`
`accommodate only a single time period. A user cannot record a second event without
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`overwriting or offloading the stored data from a first event. In addition, both Johnson and Reich
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`still contemplate that the looping portion memory should be very small, perhaps 30 seconds or
`
`less. Such devices are completely inadequate for storing long pre-start signal images, such as a
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`five or ten minute period prior to a trigger signal.
`
`[0010] Thus, there is still a need for improvements in cameras and other surveillance devices
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`that allow recordation of multiple events without overwriting or offloading, and that can include
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`lengthy portions of data streams prior to start signal events.
`
`2
`
`

`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
`
`Summary of The Invention
`
`[0011] The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a memory
`
`stores multiple data streams, each of which includes pre-start signal and post-start signal data.
`
`[0012] Preferred embodiments include hardware that executes an instruction set that utilizes an
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`area of the memory as a circular buffer, records the first data stream in the buffer; responds to a
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`signal by protecting a recently used segment of the buffer, and records the second data stream in
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`the buffer, without overwriting the protected segment. Buffers can be any suitable size, but have
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`sufficient capacity to capture at least 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes of image frames (video data),
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`and in some contemplated embodiments have sufficient to capacity to capture an hour or more of
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`image frames.
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`[0013] All practical memories are contemplated, including especially multi-gigabit removable
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`flash drives. The memory preferably utilizes different sections for the buffer at different times,
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`with protected sub-sections being skipped over during storage of subsequent data streams. In
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`some instances that may result in a given data stream being stored in logically dis-contiguous
`
`portions of the memory. Thus, one can consider the memory as having a multiple buffers, or as a
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`single buffer of variable size and configuration. At least 20% of the memory is preferably used
`
`as the buffer.
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`[0014] All suitable methods and apparatus for initiating start and stop signals are contemplated,
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`including for example using a button, toggle or other switch, a verbal or other human interface,
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`and using motion, sound, light or other sensors. It is also contemplated that embodiments can
`
`include an interface for altering or otherwise designating a pre-signal size of the recently used
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`segment. Default time spans for storing data (whether measured in time, number of frames,
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`memory utilized or some other metric) can be advantageously associated with start and/or stop
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`signals.
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`[0015] Cameras according to present invention can be mounted in any desired manner, including
`
`for example in camera boxes, on eyeglasses, and on automobiles or other vehicles.
`
`[0016] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
`
`more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the
`
`3
`
`

`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
`
`invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like
`
`components.
`
`Brief Description of The Drawing
`
`[0017] Figure. 1 is a schematic of memory usage in prior art devices according to Johnson.
`
`[0018] Figures 2A-2B are schematics of memory usage in prior art devices according to Reich.
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`[0019] Figures 3A-3H depict schematics of memory usage in a device according to aspects of
`
`the present invention, progressively showing storage of multiple data streams.
`
`[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic of steps for storing multiple data streams in a non-contiguous
`
`fashion
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`[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic of a system using an eyeglasses mounted camera to record events.
`
`Detailed Description
`
`[0022] In Figure 3A a memory 30 stores data from data stream "A" up to the current position "I"
`marker. The "_" character is again used to initiate memory that has not been used, or has been
`
`used but has been marked for overwriting. The ellipsis " ... " is used to initiate that the memory
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`can be very large relative to the number of positions shown in the figure. It is contemplated, for
`
`example, that memory 30 can be up to several hundred megabytes, 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB or
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`even more. Such memory is preferably of a flash type, non-volatile RAM, preferably in the form
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`of a standard flash memory card.
`
`[0023] In Figure 3B a recent period of data stream "A" has been protected as a function of a
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`"start" signal, and concomitantly, the portion of the data stream prior to the protected portion has
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`once again been marked "_" to shown that it is unprotected. The start signal can be triggered in
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`any suitable manner, including for example manual operation of a trigger by a user. In other
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`examples, start signals can be triggered by detection of a particular circumstance by a motion,
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`sound or other sensor. In yet another example of a very sophisticated system, software can
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`operate upon content in the data stream, such as by monitoring an entrance to a building using a
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`data stream received from one or more cameras, and sending a start signal when the images it
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`receives show a person moving in a suspicious manner.
`
`4
`
`

`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
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`[0024] In protecting recent data, the system can protect a default historical time period (such as
`
`30 seconds, 2 minutes, etc), and all suitable defaults are contemplated. Alternatively, the
`
`historical time period being protected could be altered in some manner, such as by software or by
`
`a user operating a history button. For example, if a user hits a start button, the system might
`
`default to protecting the last 30 seconds, and then progressively protect prior 30 second periods
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`when the user repeatedly hits a "more time" button. In that manner a user could protect a 5 or 10
`
`minute period, or an even much longer portion of a data stream prior to a start signal. Indeed, if
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`memory 30 is interpreted as a multi gigabyte flash memory, it is entirely possible that one could
`
`back up sufficiently to protect an hour or more of such a data stream.
`
`[0025] In Figure 3C the system has received a "stop" signal some time after receiving the start
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`signal, thereby lengthening the protected portion of the "A" data stream. The stop signal could
`
`be generated from software or hardware as a function of a default time after the start signal. All
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`suitable defaults are contemplated, including for example a 30 second or 1 minute time period.
`
`Stop signals could also be generated in a variable fashion, again as a function of software or
`
`hardware, through action of a user, or in any other suitable manner. Thus, a user might well
`
`operate a start button or other switch, a more time switch, and a stop switch, which could have
`
`the same or different interfaces. It is also contemplated that the system could recognize a user's
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`verbal commands for these functions.
`
`[0026] Just as the system can utilize a default pre-start signal period of time for which a portion
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`of the data stream is stored unless overridden in some manner, contemplated systems can utilize
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`a default post-start signal period of time for which a portion of the data stream is stored unless
`
`overridden in some manner. Using defaults for both pre-start and post-start signal periods allows
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`a system to operate with an extremely high level of user convenience. For example, in one
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`contemplated class of systems using such defaults, a user could operate a single button, ring or
`
`other interface to initiate a start signal, and the system could respond by automatically storing a
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`default 60 second portion of a data stream prior to the signal, as well as a default 30 time period
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`of the data stream after the signal. And all of that could be accomplished with a single operation
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`of the button. As should be apparent from the description above, all reasonable the default time
`
`periods are contemplated.
`
`5
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`

`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
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`[0027] In Figure 3D, the system has finished protecting the desired portion of the "A" data
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`stream, and has now moved on to storing a "B" data stream. Of course, the "B" data stream may
`
`be continuous with the "A" data stream, so that differentiation of "A" and "B" streams is merely
`
`an artifact of how the data is being stored. For example, if a system included an eyeglasses
`
`camera being used at baseball game, the wearer might watch the game for an hour or more
`
`without anything of interest happening. During all that time the system would record image
`
`frames from the camera, looping in memory if the memory had remaining capacity for less than
`
`an hour of images. When finally the wearer sees an interesting play that he wants to protect, he
`
`operates a start button, and perhaps a more time button to protect the previous minute of play.
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`Once the interesting action has completed, he operates a stop button, which thereby causes the
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`system to complete protecting the entire "A" period of interest. But the wearer continues
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`watching the game, and the subsequent images, continuous with the "A" images, would be
`
`considered "B" images.
`
`[0028] In Figure 3E the system has again received a start signal, and again protected a fixed or
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`variable historical time period. In Figure 3F the system has received a stop signal, and has
`
`protected the entire desired portion of the "B" data stream.
`
`[0029] In Figure 3G the system continued to record data, which is now depicted as data stream
`
`"C" because it follows data stream "B". This figure is particularly significant in that recordation
`
`of the "C" data stream skips over the protected portion of the "A" data stream. In Figure 3H the
`
`system received another start signal, and has protected a desired portion of the "C" data stream
`
`that straddles the protected "A" stream.
`
`[0030] Figure 4 depicts a system 40 generally comprising eyeglasses 41 having a camera 42
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`mounted at the nose bridge, and an optional viewfinder 43 applied onto one of the lenses. A data
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`and power cord 44 couples the camera 42 to a belt-worn recorder 46, which cooperates with a
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`ring-shaped signaling device 45 and an off-line docking station with CD burner (collectively 47).
`
`[0031] The eyeglasses 41 are used here euphemistically to represent any type of camera mount,
`
`including a fixed or moveable surveillance mount, and also a housing such as a typical camera
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`box. Camera 42 should also be interpreted euphemistically to include CCD and all other manner
`
`of image obtaining devices, as well as a directional microphone, one or more lenses, and so forth.
`
`6
`
`

`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
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`Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the term "surveillance" is used herein in its broadest
`
`possible sense, to include not only professional or commercial types of surveillance, but also any
`
`other type of observation, including for example an ordinary person watching a baseball game or
`
`birthday party.
`
`[0032] Recorder 46 is any recording device that records video and/or audio/video data, including
`
`conventional recorders. Recorder 46 preferably include a processor 46A that runs software to
`
`accomplish the functions described herein, and one or more physical memories that are
`
`collectively referred to herein as memory 46B. The description of memory 30 herein can apply
`
`equally to memory 46B. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the concepts described
`
`herein with respect to video and/or audio/video data can be applied to recordation of purely
`
`audio, and in fact any other type of data stream, and this specification should be interpreted as
`
`expressly including such application.
`
`[0033] Although not expressly shown, recorder 46 also includes an appropriate power supply or
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`connection, supporting electronics, and a display or other interface. Recorder 46 would typically
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`record images in digital format, but analog or combination formats are also contemplated.
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`[0034] Signaling device 45 is shown in the figure as a ring that communicates with the recorder
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`wirelessly. The ring can have any suitable interfaces (not shown), including for example buttons
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`on its outer periphery, or a sensor along its inner edge. Thus, turning the ring in one direction
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`might produce a start signal, and continuing to tum the ring in that direction might extend
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`backwards the time period that is protected. Where a default time period for storing pre-start
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`signal data is used, extending the time can be considered overriding the default. Similarly,
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`turning the ring in the opposite direction might produce a stop signal, and where a default time
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`period for storing post-start signal data is used, extending the time can be considered overriding
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`that default.. Electronics for such a ring or other control device are readily available, and for
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`example are similar to those used in key fobs. Indeed, signaling device 45 should be interpreted
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`euphemistically to include key fob type devices.
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`[0035] Docking station and DVD burner 47 can be quite conventional, and can for example
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`include a standard flash memory card reader coupled to a home or office PC.
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`7
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`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
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`[0036] Figure 5 shows a method 50 of recording multiple events without overwriting or
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`offloading the memory, and including potentially lengthy portions of data streams prior to start
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`signal events. Contemplated steps include the following, which are discussed elsewhere herein:
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`■ Step 51 - utilizing an area of a memory as a circular buffer;
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`■ Step 5 lA - storing at least 10 minutes of image frames in the buffer;
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`■ Step 51B - using at least 20% of the memory as the buffer;
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`■ Step 51 C - the memory storing at least a 30 second portion of the first data stream,
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`including at least a 5 second pre-signal portion and at least a 5 second post-signal portion;
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`■ Step 52 - recording a first data stream in the buffer;
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`■ Step 53 - responding to a start signal by protecting a recently used segment of the buffer;
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`■ Step 54 - recording a second data stream in the buffer;
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`■ Step 54A - the second data stream is continuous with the first data stream; Step 54B -
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`storing at least a 30 second portion of the first data stream in logically dis-contiguous
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`portions of the memory;
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`■ Step 55 - skipping over at least some of the protected segment during recordation of the
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`second data stream; and
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`■ Step 56 - providing one or more interfaces through which a user can initiate start and stop
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`signals, and designate a pre-signal size of the recently used segment.
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`[0037] Thus, specific embodiments and applications of recording devices with pre-start signal
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`storage capability have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art
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`that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing
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`from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted
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`except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and
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`the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the
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`context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring
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`to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced
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`elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements,
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`components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to
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`at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should
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`be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
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`8
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`

`

`Attny DktNo: 101488.0002US1
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`What is claimed is:
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`1. A surveillance system comprising:
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`CLAIMS
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`a camera that converts images into first and second data streams;
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`a memory; and
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`hardware that executes an instruction set that utilizes an area of the memory as a circular
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`buffer, records the first data stream in the buffer; responds to a signal by
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`protecting a recently used segment of the buffer, and records the second data
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`stream in the buffer, without overwriting the protected segment.
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`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the buffer stores at least 10 minutes of image frames.
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`3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data stream is continuous with the first data
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`stream.
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`4. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory stores at least a 30 second portion of the first data
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`stream, including at least a 5 second pre-signal portion and at l