( 12 ) United States Patent
`DeKeyser
`
`( 10 ) Patent No .: US 10,523,901 B2
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`Dec. 31 , 2019
`
`US010523901B2
`
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`CPC .. HO4N 7/18 ; HO4N 5/76 ; H04N 5/77 ; H04N
`5/23206 ; HO4N 1/00127 ; G11B 23/288 ;
`G11B 27/10 ; G11B 31/006 ; GOSB
`13/19621 ; GO8B 13/19676 ; G08B 15/001 ;
`GO8B 2220/216
`See application file for complete search history .
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( 56 )
`
`5,204,909 A
`5,381,526 A
`
`4/1993 Cowan
`1/1995 Ellson
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`
`10/1992
`0510968
`4/2003
`1064783
`( Continued )
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Axis 2100 Network Camera User Guide R2.0 ; 68 pages ; Nov. 2001 .
`Christopher Braniff
`Primary Examiner
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm — Fish IP Law , LLP
`ABSTRACT
`( 57 )
`A surveillance apparatus continuously records imaged data
`from a camera into a circular buffer in a local memory . When
`a record signal is received , the system records the video
`stream that was recorded before the record signal was
`received , and the video stream that is recorded after the
`record signal was received . The recorded segment is then
`write - protected , so that the surveillance apparatus does not
`overwrite the recorded segment . The recorded segment
`could then be sent to a remote memory via a wireless
`connection to free up local memory for future recording
`sessions .
`
`25 Claims , 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`( 54 ) WEARABLE RECORDING SYSTEM WITH
`MEMORY DESIGNATION
`( 71 ) Applicant : STELLAR , LLC , Irvine , CA ( US )
`( 72 ) Inventor : Paul DeKeyser , Irvine , CA ( US )
`( 73 ) Assignee : Paul DeKeyser , Irvine , CA ( US )
`( * ) Notice :
`Subject to any discla
`the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`( 21 ) Appl . No .: 15 / 875,828
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Jan. 19 , 2018
`( 65 )
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2018/0146163 A1 May 24 , 2018
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 63 ) Continuation of application No. 15 / 279,155 , filed on
`Sep. 28 , 2016 , now Pat . No. 9,912,914 , which is a
`( Continued )
`
`( 51 ) Int . Cl .
`H04N 7/18
`H04 5/77
`GIIB 23/28
`GIIB 27/10
`GIIB 31/00
`
`( 52 ) U.S. Ci .
`CPC
`
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( Continued )
`H04N 7/18 ( 2013.01 ) ; GIIB 23/288
`( 2013.01 ) ; GIIB 27/10 ( 2013.01 ) ; GIIB
`31/006 ( 2013.01 ) ; H04N 5/76 ( 2013.01 ) ;
`H04N 5/77 ( 2013.01 ) ; G08B 13/19621
`( 2013.01 ) ; G08B 13/19676 ( 2013.01 ) ; G08B
`15/001 ( 2013.01 ) ; GIIB 2220/216 ( 2013.01 )
`
`120
`
`140
`
`110
`
`122
`
`130
`
`167
`
`165
`
`169
`
`150
`
`po
`
`160
`
`162 163 164
`
`166
`
`170
`
`

`

`US 10,523,901 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`continuation of application No. 13 / 790,553 , filed on
`Mar. 8 , 2013 , now Pat . No. 9,485,471 , which is a
`continuation of application No. 12 / 560,584 , filed on
`Sep. 16 , 2009 , now Pat . No. 8,692,882 , which is a
`continuation - in - part of application No. 12 / 268,286 ,
`filed on Nov. 10 , 2008 , now Pat . No. 7,593,034 ,
`which is a continuation - in - part of application No.
`11 / 770,920 , filed on Jun . 29 , 2007 , now Pat . No.
`8,310,540 , said application No. 12 / 268,286 is a con
`tinuation - in - part of application No. 11 / 846,217 , filed
`on Aug. 28 , 2007 , now Pat . No. 8,928,752 .
`( 60 ) Provisional application No. 60 / 824,095 , filed on Aug.
`31 , 2006 .
`( 51 ) Int . Ci .
`H04N 5/76
`G08B 15/00
`G08B 13/196
`
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5/1995 De Luigi et al .
`6/1996 Hattori et al .
`11/1997 Swanson et al .
`8/1998 Greer et al .
`12/2000 Johnson et al .
`10/2001 Mann
`
`5,418,529 A
`5,523,799 A
`5,689,442 A
`5,790,427 A
`6,163,338 A
`6,307,526 B1
`6,317,817 B1 11/2001 Shichiku et al .
`
`B6OR 1/00
`340/438
`GO1D 5/48
`340 / 10.41
`
`H04L 29/06027
`709/204
`
`2/2002 Aono
`4/2002 Washino
`5/2002 Rayner
`9/2003 Watters
`
`9/2003 Ichioka et al .
`12/2004 Orr
`9/2005 Dietz
`1/2007 Macy et al .
`3/2007 Patel
`8/2007 Petite et al .
`5/2008 Brailean
`6/2009 Heilsberg
`9/2009 Matz et al .
`10/2010 Hoffberg
`1/2002 Freeman et al .
`9/2004 Szolyga et al .
`10/2005 Smith
`7/2006 Vanman et al .
`6/2007 Plante
`6/2007 Plante
`
`6,351,798 B1
`6,370,198 B1
`6,389,340 B1 *
`6,617,963 B1 *
`6,618,546 B2
`6,831,652 B1
`6,950,600 B2
`7,162,607 B2
`7,195,164 B2
`7,263,073 B2
`7,373,395 B2 *
`7,546,602 B2
`7,587,323 B2
`7,813,822 B1
`2002/0005895 A1
`2004/0183912 A1
`2005/0240942 Al
`2006/0158968 A1
`2007/0132773 Al
`2007/0150138 A1 *
`
`2007/0174538 A1
`2008/0177994 A1
`2012/0078555 A1 *
`
`H04N 21/23406
`701 / 33.4
`
`7/2007 Christoffersson et al .
`7/2008 Mayer
`3/2012 Banhegyesi
`GO1D 4/004
`702/64
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GO2B 27/017
`345/7
`
`92/22983
`WO
`99/49656
`WO
`99/56216
`WO
`2006/044476
`WO
`* cited by examiner
`
`12/1992
`9/1999
`11/1999
`4/2006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31 , 2019
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 10,523,901 B2
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`120
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`140
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`100
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`110
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`122
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`130
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`0
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`150
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`167
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`165
`
`OOD
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`169
`
`----
`
`160
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`162 163 164
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`166
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`170
`
`FIG . 1
`
`150
`
`200
`
`TRANSMIT ZOOM ZOOM
`7
`OUT
`
`IN
`
`230
`
`240
`
`STOP
`
`REC
`
`220
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`210
`
`FIG . 2A
`
`250
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31 , 2019
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 10,523,901 B2
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`150
`
`O
`
`M
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`200
`
`220
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`210
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`230
`
`240
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`250
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`FIG . 2B
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`169
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`320
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`163
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`FIG . 3
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`310
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`330
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31 , 2019
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 10,523,901 B2
`
`DeKeyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`De Keyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`DeKeyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`DeKeyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
`AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
`
`FIG . 4A
`
`[ ??????????? !
`
`FIG . 4B
`
`[ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ]
`
`FIG . 4C
`
`[ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ] BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
`????????????????????????????????????????????????????
`BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
`????????????? !
`
`FIG . 4D
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31 , 2019
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 10,523,901 B2
`
`De Keyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`De Keyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`De Keyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`De Keyser
`( variable
`buffer )
`
`400
`
`( AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ]
`
`[ ??????????? |
`
`FIG . 4E
`
`???????????????
`
`[ BBBBBBBBBBB | BBBB ]
`
`FIG . 4F
`
`????????????????????????????????????????????????????
`CCCCCCCCCCCC [ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ] CCCCC
`
`[ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB ] CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC ... CCCCCCC
`
`FIG . 4G
`
`[ CCCCCCC [ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ] CCCCC |
`
`( BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB ]
`
`FIG . 4H
`
`

`

`US 10,523,901 B2
`
`1
`2
`EP 1064783 to Mann describes a camera mountable to a
`WEARABLE RECORDING SYSTEM WITH
`pair of eyeglasses that continuously saves recorded images
`MEMORY DESIGNATION
`to a circular buffer in a computer on the user's waist . When
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica
`a user wants to save a piece of recorded video , the user must
`tion Ser . No. 15 / 279,155 filed on Sep. 28 , 2016 ( pending ) , 5 stop recording and offload the data at another location before
`which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser . No.
`the user can record again . Mann also discusses streaming the
`13 / 790,553 filed on Mar. 8 , 2016 ( now issued as U.S. Pat .
`images directly to a wireless memory that may have a larger
`No. 9,485,471 ) , which is a continuation of U.S. patent
`capacity ; however , this means that the camera does not work
`application Ser . No. 12 / 560,584 , filed Sep. 16 , 2009 ( now
`in the absence of a wireless connection . U.S. Pat . No.
`issued as U.S. Pat . No. 8,692,882 ) , which is a continuation 10 5,523,799 to Hattori et al . also describes storing data in a
`of U.S. patent application Ser . No. 12 / 268,286 , filed Nov.
`memory having an archival portion . However , Hattori fails
`10 , 2008 ( now issued as U.S. Pat . No. 7,593,034 ) which is
`to address sending data to a remote memory .
`a continuation - in - part of U.S. patent application Ser . No.
`Thus , there is still a need for a recording camera that
`11 / 770,920 , filed Jun . 29 , 2007 ( now issued U.S. Pat . No.
`provides better recording and editing functions .
`8,310,540 ) , which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional 15
`III . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`patent 60 / 824,097 , filed Aug. 31 , 2006. This application and
`Ser . No. 12 / 268,286 are also continuations - in - part of U.S.
`patent application Ser . No. 11 / 846,217 , filed Aug. 28 , 2007 ,
`The present invention provides apparatus , systems , and
`methods in which a surveillance apparatus processes images
`which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent 60/824 ,
`095 , filed Aug. 31 , 2006. These and all other referenced 20 by ( 1 ) continuously recording a stream of imaged data , ( 2 )
`extrinsic materials are incorporated herein by reference in
`write protecting segments of the recorded stream , and ( 3 )
`their entirety . Where a definition or use of a term
`in an
`sending write protected segments from a local memory to a
`incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the
`remote memory using a wireless transmitter .
`definition of that term provided herein , the definition of that
`The surveillance apparatus generally has a camera func
`term provided herein applies and the definition of that term
`25 tionally coupled to a local memory with a circular buffer . As
`used herein , the term “ a local memory functionally coupled
`in the reference does not apply .
`to the camera ” means that the memory that is distanced less
`than 20 cm from the camera , and is coupled to the camera
`I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`using entirely physical connectors ( e.g. , wires , pins , con
`The field of the invention is video camera recording 30 ductive paths , etc. ) . This contrasts with a “ remote memory
`functionally coupled to the camera ” , which would be a
`technology .
`memory that is distanced from the camera by at least 20 cm ,
`or is coupled to the camera using a wireless connection . The
`II . BACKGROUND
`circular buffer is preferably organized into a series of
`Conventional camcorders use a variety of storage formats 35 memory segments that loops back on itself and is organized
`into both available segments and write - protected segments .
`including digital video cassettes , mini - DV cassettes , or
`DVD - R discs that offer a limited amount of memory to store
`This allows a recording facility to record the data stream
`data . One of the major shortcomings of the existing cam
`available in portions of the circular buffer while skipping
`corder technology is that the memory runs out too soon .
`over write - protected matter . Preferably , the local memory is
`Once a portion of the memory has been recorded , there is 40 large enough to store at least 5 or 10 minutes of imaged data .
`less memory available for further recording . Then when the
`Preferably , the recording facility continuously records the
`memory is full , users have to return to their home / work
`data stream into the circular buffer any time the surveillance
`computer or media station to transfer the recorded data from
`apparatus is powered on . As used herein , the term " continu
`the camera to free up the memory . This creates inconve
`ous ” with respect to recording a video data stream means
`nience and inflexibility for recording on the go .
`45 that data is recorded at least every half second over a given
`WO 2006/044476 to Vanman describes an electronic
`ten second period . When a signal to record is sent to the
`camera mounted to a police vehicle with a circular buffer
`surveillance apparatus , a protecting facility designates a
`that is constantly recording . When the camera reaches the
`segment of the circular buffer to be write - protected to
`end of the memory it records from the beginning of memory ,
`prevent that segment from being overwritten during the next
`erasing the earliest recorded data . Such technology is often 50 recording loop . Part of the write - protected portion could be
`employed with surveillance cameras for long and continuous
`a pre - recorded subset that is recorded before the signal is
`recording with little or no supervision . However , Vanman
`received , while part of the write - protected portion could be
`does not distinguish or differentiate any data that is of
`a post - recorded subset that is recorded after the signal is
`importance . To save data in the buffer , the user of the
`received . The pre - recorded subset could be as long as 5
`Vanman device needs to transfer important portions of the 55 seconds , 10 seconds , 30 seconds , or more . Preferably , vari
`buffer wirelessly to a central office or physically to a DVD
`ous aspects of both the pre - recorded subset and the post
`disc , or else risk having the interesting data be recorded over
`recorded subset can be configured with a user interface .
`during loop recording . Such transfers are processor intensive
`While the write - protected portions could be electronically
`and may not be possible when the central office is out of
`indexed using a memory heap or a clustered index , the
`60 write - protected portions are preferably stored as separate
`range or an empty DVD disc is unavailable .
`Vanman and all other extrinsic materials identified herein
`files in the memory . Such files could be stored in physically
`are incorporated by reference in their entirety . Where a
`dis - contiguous parts of the circular buffer . Additionally , the
`definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is
`indexing is preferably performed while the recording facility
`inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term pro
`is still recording data into the memory .
`vided herein , the definition of that term provided herein 65
`The signal to record is preferably automatically triggered
`applies and the definition of that term in the reference does
`by a sensor that detects an image in the camera or a sound
`by the camera's microphone . For example , the signal to
`not apply .
`
`

`

`US 10,523,901 B2
`
`4
`3
`couples the camera 120 to a belt - worn recorder 160 , which
`record could be triggered by a human face , an open book , a
`cooperates with a ring - shaped signaling device 150 and a
`computer screen , a whistle , a verbal command , a recognized
`remote memory 170. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
`object , or a pattern of knocks . Alternatively , a user interface
`that the term “ surveillance ” is used herein in its broadest
`could allow a human user to manually send the signal to
`record and could even allow the human user to designate a 5 possible sense , to include not only professional or commer
`length of time of the pre - recorded subset or the post
`cial types of surveillance , but also any other type of obser
`vation , including for example an ordinary person watching
`recorded subset . A user could send two signals , one to start
`a baseball game or birthday party .
`recording and another to stop recording , but preferably the
`The eyeglasses 110 are used here euphemistically to
`user merely sends a signal to start recording for a specified
`period of time . In an exemplary embodiment , when the 10 represent any type of camera mount . In a preferred embodi
`specified period of time has almost expired , say , for
`ment , the camera mount is disguised to be a common object
`example , 5 seconds , 10 seconds , or longer , the user could
`worn by a person or lying around a house , but could also be
`extend the length of specified time by sending another
`shaped and sized to look like a camera . Contemplated
`mounts include lapel pins , hair clips , shirt buttons , purses ,
`trigger to the surveillance apparatus . For example , the
`surveillance apparatus could send a warning 10 seconds 15 staplers , desk clocks , tripods , head gear , hand grips , or
`security camera mounts . As used herein the term “ camera ”
`before it is scheduled to stop recording by vibrating against
`the user ; in response the user could say “ don't stop ” or
`means any device or collection of devices that includes an
`merely cough to extend the length of the write - protected
`image capturing component that captures image data , and a
`converting component that converts the image data into
`portion of memory .
`While the surveillance apparatus could be a mounted on 20 digital data , possibly at least one data stream . An image
`capturing component could include one or more charge
`a hand - held video camera , the surveillance apparatus is
`preferably a small device that can be mounted inconspicu
`couple devices ( CCD ) complimentary metal - oxide - semi
`ously on a person . For example , contemplated surveillance
`conductors ( CMOS ) , CMOS focal plane arrays ( CFP ) , radi
`apparatus mounts are a pair of wearable sunglasses or
`ometers , or other manners of image obtaining devices .
`eyeglasses , a lapel pin , a collar button , a hat or visor , a hair 25 Camera 120 should be interpreted euphemistically to include
`all such variants . Likewise , a suitable converting component
`pin , or a front of a purse .
`could include one or more analog - to - digital converters ,
`Since the surveillance apparatus is typically too small to
`software codecs , or integrated circuits .
`house a large amount of memory , the surveillance apparatus
`also preferably has a wireless transmitter that is also func
`Camera 120 contains an imager lens 122 used to focus
`tionally connected to the local memory . A sending facility 30 images for camera 120. Conventional lenses allow one or
`uses the wireless transmitter to transmit write - protected
`more of the following adjustments : aperture ( to control the
`portions of the circular buffer to a remote memory that is not
`amount of light ) , zoom ( to control the field - of - view ) , or
`shutter speed ( to capture continuous motion . ) . In preferred
`physically connected to the local memory in some way . For
`example , the wireless transmitter could send write - protected
`embodiments , these adjustments are automatically con
`portions of the circular buffer to a mobile phone , or the 35 trolled by the camcorder electronics , generally to maintain
`surveillance apparatus could be plugged into a mobile phone
`constant exposure onto the imager without the manual
`which is then used as a wireless transmitter to forward a
`adjustment from a user . It is contemplated that the preferred
`embodiments offer direct user control of all major optical
`write - protected portion to another remote memory . In a
`functions . As with most modern digital recorders and cam
`preferred embodiment , after a write - protected portion of the
`circular buffer is transferred to a remote memory , the pro- 40 corders , an analog - to - digital ( ADC ) converter is used to
`tecting facility could remove the corresponding portion from
`digitize the analog imager waveform output into a discrete
`digital - video signal . Thus , the recorder can be used to record
`protection so that the recording facility could use that
`analog or digital formats .
`portion to record data .
`Various objects , features , aspects and advantages of the
`Viewfinder image lens 130 is calibrated to have the same
`present invention will become more apparent from the 45 field of view as camera 120. Preferably , viewfinder image
`following detailed description of preferred embodiments of
`lens 130 is embedded in between the two glass lenses of
`eyeglasses 110. Preferably viewfinder image lens 130 is a
`the invention , along with the accompanying drawings in
`zoom lens with preferred standard zoom ration of 3x in or
`which like numerals represent like components .
`out of the focal length of the camera . A more sophisticated
`IV . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`50 viewfinder image lens 130 is contemplated to have a greater
`zoom range and also has nighttime vision or is able to render
`FIG . 1 is a camera mounted on a pair of glasses connected
`images under different light conditions . Within the lenses ,
`viewfinder image lens 130 is outlined by tinted area or
`to a circular buffer in a local memory that is controlled by
`graticle and the outline graticle is embedded with glowing
`a ring
`FIGS . 2A and 2B show user interface buttons for the ring 55 fiber optic filament . Eye - glasses are made preferably from
`opaque , translucent , or possibly photo gray - type tint of
`of FIG .
`FIG . 3 shows a diagram representation of the circular
`glasses . Alternatively , glasses change color slightly when
`energized .
`buffer of FIG . 1 .
`FIG . 4A - 4H show representations of the circular buffer of
`Where the camera is a hand - held camera and is not
`60 embedded in a pair of eyeglasses , viewfinder image lens 130
`FIG . 1 while the surveillance apparatus is in use .
`can be permanently fixed to camera 120 , or it can be
`interchangeable with lenses of different focal lengths and
`V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`other properties depending on the need and circumstances of
`In FIG . 1 , an example surveillance apparatus 100 gener
`use .
`Recorder 160 is any recording device that records video
`ally comprising eyeglasses 110 having a camera 120 65
`mounted at the nose bridge , and an optional viewfinder 130
`and / or audio / video data , including conventional recorders .
`applied onto one of the lenses . A data and power cord 140
`Recorder 160 preferably includes a processor 162 with
`
`

`

`US 10,523,901 B2
`
`10
`
`5
`6
`frames are preferably compressed by employing conven
`software or hardware that accomplishes the functions
`tional compression rates and methods to achieve at least a
`described herein , or one or more physical memories that are
`50 : 1 ratio .
`collectively referred to herein as memory 166. Typically , the
`In preferred embodiments , image data received by
`recorder or the camera converts analog images into a digital
`format to be stored in the memory , or also preferably records 5 recorder 160 is stored in a circular buffer 167 on memory
`both audio and video input analog signals from the camera
`166. Preferably , all of the free space in memory 166 is used
`to the memory . Those skilled in the art will also appreciate
`to create circular buffer 167 , however , multiple circular
`that the concepts described herein with respect to video
`buffers could be created in the memory where there exist
`and / or audio / video data can be applied to recordation of
`multiple cameras connected to a single recorder . Once the
`purely audio , or in fact any other type of data stream ; this
`recorder is turned on , image data is continuously stored in
`specification should be interpreted as expressly including
`circular buffer 167 for access . If no record or protect button
`such application . A wearer could clip recorder 160 as a belt
`is pushed , the recorder will loop back and store the image
`clip or another compact device . Contemplated recorders
`data for a said length of time . Recording , book - marking and
`include MP3 players , purses , or buttons . It is also contem- 15 protecting are used synonymously herein . Recording , book
`plated that recorder 160 could also comprise a cell or mobile
`marking and protecting means that a portion of the imaged
`phone having a suitable recorder application installed that is
`data is write - protected upon an activation of a signal by a
`configured to communicate with the other components of
`user and can not then be overwritten unless the write
`apparatus 100 .
`protection is later removed . Consequently , protected data
`Although not expressly shown , recorder 160 also includes 20 cannot be overwritten by newly stored imaged data in the
`an appropriate power supply or connection , supporting
`circular buffer .
`electronics , or a display or other interface . The power source
`The circular buffer is preferably large enough to store at
`can vary considerably . For example , in embodiments where
`least 3 minutes of data , more eferably 5 minutes and most
`the recorded is relatively large , a suitable power source can
`preferred 10 minutes of data . However , it is contemplated
`include a rechargeable battery . On the other hand , when the 25 that depending on the size and capacity of the device , any
`recorder is relatively small , an appropriate power source can
`length longer or shorter is possible . It is preferred when the
`include an external power source ( e.g. , transformer for wall
`recorder is turned on the entire circular buffer is treated and
`outlet or cigarette lighter adapter ) . Whether embodied in
`stored as a single file . Thus , if no recording is protected or
`control buttons or in some other manner , it is also contem
`bookmarked , then the entire file will be erased and the
`plated that recorder can include some sort of security control 30 recording will start at the beginning of the circular buffer .
`requiring a password and some sort of automatic turnoff
`Signaling device 150 is shown in the figure as a ring that
`feature that activates after a certain amount of inactivity .
`communicates wirelessly ( e.g. , BlueTooth , Skinplex , wire
`Authentication or authorization of user access provides for
`less USB , 802.11 , 802.15 , UWB , Z - Wave , IrDa , Zigbee ,
`ensuring a proper user of apparatus 100 retains desired
`control . For example , once a user is authenticated , the user 35 etc. ) with the recorder , possibly as part of a personal area
`network ( PAN ) . The ring can have any suitable interface ,
`can control indexing , editing , transmitting , or adjusting
`shown in FIGS . 2A and 2B , including for example buttons
`content data in memory .
`on its outer periphery , or a sensor along its inner edge . In
`Recorder 160 would typically record images in digital
`format , but analog or combination formats are also contem
`FIG . 2A , ring 150 has user interface 200 , with a start signal
`plated . Preferably , the recorder's electronics are preferably 40 button 210 , a stop signal button 220 , a transmit button 230 ,
`all on a unitary printed circuit board with different functions ,
`a zoom in button 240 , or a zoom out button 250. Alterna
`or facilities , encoded on a programmable chip or disk . For
`tively , the buttons could have decorative symbols in lieu of
`example , a recording facility 163 could record the data
`words of function as shown in FIG . 2B , or could even have
`stream from camera 120 to local memory 166 , a protecting
`arbitrary symbols surrounding the entirety of signaling
`facility 164 could protect segments ( not shown ) of recorded 45 device 150. These buttons allow a user to manipulate and
`data on memory 166 , or a sending facility 165 could transmit
`control image data and to generate protected data .
`protected segments ( not shown ) of recorded data to remote
`In an alternative embodiment , turning the ring in one
`memory 170. While the different facilities are preferably
`direction might produce a start signal , and continuing to turn
`part of a single hardware or software program , the facilities
`the ring in that direction might extend backwards the time
`could be split into different components as necessary . Other 50 period that is protected . Where a default time period for
`facilities could be installed , for example a facility that allows
`storing pre - start signal data is used , extending the time can
`editing of the received image data or protected data . It is
`be considered overriding the default . Similarly , turning the
`contemplated that such facilities could be purchased through
`ring in the opposite direction might produce a stop signal ,
`or installed on a cell phone , possibly through an on - line
`and where a default time period for storing post - start signal
`application store .
`55 data is used , extending the time can be considered overriding
`The contemplated memory could vary depending on the
`that default . Electronics for such a ring or other control
`particular configuration of the recorder . Particularly suitable
`device are readily available , and for example are similar to
`memories include commercially available micro hard drives
`those used in key fobs . Indeed , signaling device 150 should
`with a 1 - inch disc ( which can preferably have a capacity of
`be interpreted euphemistically to include key fob type
`more than 1 GB ) , flash memory cards with a capacity of up 60 device .
`to 128 MB and more , or other transient and / or permanent
`It is contemplated that the signaling device could be
`memory units . Likewise , suitable memory can also include
`integrated into other items as an accessory and that is
`SDRAM , MRAM , racetrack memory , SIMM , DIMM , etc.
`wearable on an individual , for example a lapel pin or a pen
`with a capacity of at least 32 MB , more preferably at least
`within a pocked protector . It is also contemplated that the
`64 MB , or most preferably above 128 MB . In preferred 65 switch could be portable or can be hidden or attached to
`embodiments , memory 166 is a SDRAM capable of storing
`other devices such as a vehicle , furniture , etc. The signal
`at least 1000 frames of data . Once received by memory 166 ,
`could also be generated in non - tactile ways , for example by
`
`

`

`US 10,523,901 B2
`
`7
`8
`memory 400 can be up to several hundred megabytes , 1 GB ,
`an audio command or whistle , or by an automatic sensor .
`2 GB , 4 GB , 8 GB , or even more . Such memory is preferably
`Preferably , the user could configure the audio signal to
`of a flash type , non - volatile RAM , preferably in the form of
`match only his / her voice .
`a standard flash memory card . In a preferred embodiment ,
`At any moment , the user can signal recorder 160 to place
`a “ bookmark ” in the recording . This signal can be sent by 5 circular buffer 400 comprises a logical representation of a
`pressing a button that will then transmit a signal through
`physical memory area . Buffer 400 can be configured to store
`wires 140 that attach to the glasses then to the recorder . The
`data in the physical memory by taking into account wear
`wires 140 could be fiber optic wires that are small and thin
`leveling across the physical memory .
`to avoid detection . In an exemplary embodiment , the user
`In FIG . 4B the protecting facility ( not shown ) has pro
`could control the entire system using signaling device 150 , 10 tected a recent period of data stream “ A ” as a function of a
`for example by turning the camera on and off , recording a
`start signal , shown by the character “ I ” . The start signal can
`portion of image data , stop the recording , zooming in and
`be triggered in any suitable manner , including for example
`out of image data ; or transmitting protected data into the
`manual operation of a trigger or a switch by a user . For
`example , the ring of FIG . 1 could be used as a switch , or any
`remote memory 170 .
`While remote memory 170 is shown in the figure as a 15 other wearable accessory could have a switch integrated into
`mobile or cell phone , remote memory 170 should be inter
`it . In other examples , start signals can be triggered by
`preted euphemistically to include any memory that is not
`detection of a particular circumstance by a motion , sound or
`connected to surveillance apparatus 100 , for example , a
`other sensor . In an exemplary system , software can operate
`DVD writer , a wireless network attached storage ( NAS )
`upon content in the data stream , such as by monitoring an
`device , a wireless storage area network ( SAN ) device , a 20 entrance to a building using a data stream received from one
`home computer , or even a second surveillance apparatus .
`or more cameras , and could then send a start signal when the
`Preferably , sending facility 165 sends protected segments of
`image shows a person loitering in a certain area of the
`circular buffer 167 wirelessly to remote memory 170 when
`screen .
`ever remote memory 170 is within range of wireless trans
`The “ ” character is used to designate the start of protected
`ceiver 169 , possibly as part of a PAN using one or more 25 memory . Concomitantly , the portion of the data stream prior
`wireless communication technologies ( e.g. , BlueTooth ,
`to the protected portion has once again been marked “ _ ” to
`Skinplex , wireless USB , 802.11 , 802.15 , UWB , Z - Wave ,
`show that it is unprotected . In protecting recent data , the
`IrDa , Zigbee , etc. ) . However , sending facility 165 could also
`system can protect a default historical time period before the
`respond to manual commands , for example through a button
`start signal is sent and protect a default period after the start
`on signaling device 150 , recorder 160 , or the mobile phone 30 signal is sent ( such as 30 seconds , 2 minutes , etc ) . All
`itself . In an alternative embodiment , the mobile phone does
`suitable defaults are contemplat