`US 8,581,991 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Clemente
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Nov. 12, 2013
`
`US008581991B1
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`INTEGRATED INTERNET CAMERA SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC .............. 348/207.1, 14.02; 725/105; 709/219
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Applicant: Alex Is the Best, LLC, Brooklyn, NY
`(US)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,027,150 A
`5,825,413 A
`5,994,699 A
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`10/2003 Anderson et al.
`12/2003 Naidoo et al.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Frank Clemente, Brooklyn, NY (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Alex Is The Best, LLC, Brooklyn, NY
`(US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 13/925,498
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 24, 2013
`
`EP
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`1 062 800 B1
`WO-95/35627 A1
`WO-01/27787 A1
`WO-2004/015951 A1
`
`4/2003
`12/1995
`4/2001
`2/2004
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 13/415,346, filed on
`Mar. 8, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,477,197, which is a
`continuation of application No. 13/037,303, filed on
`Feb. 28, 2011, now Pat. No. 8,134,600, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/637,277, filed on
`Dec. 14, 2009, now Pat. No. 7,907,172, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/484,373, filed on
`Jul. 11, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,633,524.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/702,470, filed on Jul.
`26, 2005.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`H04N 5/225
`H04N 7/14
`H04N 7/173
`G06F 15/16
`US. Cl.
`USPC ..................... 348/207.1; 348/1402; 725/105;
`708/219
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`WSARC 3000
`
`Primary Examiner 7 James Hannett
`Assistant Examiner 7 Quang Le
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmilM IP Law PLLC; C.
`Andrew Im
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An integrated Internet camera system method comprises a
`website archive and review center (WSARC) for storing and
`managing images and an Internet direct device for capturing
`an image, automatically transmitting the image to an account
`associated with the Internet direct device on the WSARC
`upon image capture and receiving stored image from the
`WSARC. The Internet direct device comprises an imaging
`system, a microprocessor and a display for displaying the
`captured image and the received image. The Internet direct
`device automatically connects to the communication network
`on power-up. The Internet direct device automatically
`switches to another available mode of connection when the
`
`Internet direct device detects that the primary mode of con-
`nection to the communications network is unavailable.
`
`40 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`WEBSERVER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERNET
`4000
`
`
`IDC
`
`2000
`
`
`SIM
` processor 2500
`
`2610
`2200
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2310
`
`2530 2510 _ 2220
`1100
`2210
`
`
`
`
`— 2230
`2700
`
`
`
`
`2300
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1001, p. 1
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1001, p. 1
`
`
`
`US 8,581,991 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`US. pATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/2004 Thompson etal.
`6,744,467 B2
`7/2004 McZeal, Jr.
`6,763,226 B1
`4/2005 Hirayama etal.
`6,882,326 B2
`........... 348/211.3
`8/2005 Creamer et al.
`6,930,709 B1*
`
`6,980,232 B2* 12/2005 Suzuki
`.........
`. 348/207.1
`7,272,641 132*
`9/2007 Yamagishi
`.................... 709/218
`7,333,785 B1
`2/2008 Lavelle etal.
`7,395,056 B2*
`7/2008 Petermann ................. 455/422.1
`2001/0005840 A1
`@2001 Verkama
`2001/0017655 A1
`8/2001 Amkt
`2001/0024232 A1
`9/2001 Suzuki
`2002/0013815 A1
`1/2002 Obradovich etal.
`2002/0053087 A1
`5/2002 Negishietal
`2002/0143769 A1
`10/2002 Tecu et a1.
`2002/0164945 A1
`11/2002 Olsen et a1.
`
`'
`
`2003/0020811 A1
`2003/0227540 A1
`
`“2003 Hunteretal'
`12/2003 Monroe
`
`2004/0070670 A1
`
`4/2004 Foster
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`2004/0109063 A1
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`
`6/2004 Kusaka et a1.
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`9/2004 Kikuchi
`12/2004 Palmerio
`
`2005/0014493 A1
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`2005/0057649 A1
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`2005/0096034 A1
`2005/0099519 A1
`2005/0102167 A1
`2005/0130611 A1
`2005/0144653 A1
`2005/0146609 A1
`2005/0146610 A1
`2005/0146621 A1
`2005/0149979 A1
`2005/0213147 A1
`2006/0150211 A1
`2006/0161960 A1
`2006/0290326 A1
`
`“2005 Ford
`3/2005 Creamer et 31.
`3/2005 Marks
`4/2005 CreameretaL
`5/2005 Petermann
`5/2005 Creamer et 3.1.
`5/2005 Kapoor
`6/2005 Lu etal
`6/2005 Creamer etal.
`7/2005 Creamer etal.
`7/2005 Creamer etal.
`7/2005 Tanaka etaL
`7/2005 Creamer etal.
`.
`9/2005 Minatogawa
`7/2006 R1tter
`.
`7/2006 Ben01t
`12/2006 Bhesaniaetal.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`EX. 1001, p. 2
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1001, p. 2
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 012
`
`US 8,581,991 B1
`
`Fig1
`
`PC 200
`
`Camera 100
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1001, p. 3
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1001, p. 3
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`22,1V.0N
`
`B
`
`0
`
`U
`
`1B199am8
`
`08mm
`
`8883OEzmmfiz
`
`N.9".
`
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`mm>mmmmm_>>
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`8:
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`EX. 1001, p. 4
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1001, p. 4
`
`
`
`
`US 8,581,991 B1
`
`1
`INTEGRATED INTERNET CAMERA SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`The present application is a continuation ofapplication Ser.
`No. 13/415,346 filed Mar. 8, 2012, which is a continuation of
`application Ser. No. 13/037,303 filed Feb. 28, 201 1, now US.
`Pat. No. 8,134,600, whichis a continuation ofapplication Ser.
`No. 12/637,277 filed Dec. 14, 2009, now US. Pat. No. 7,907,
`172, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/484,
`373 filed Jul. 11, 2006, now US. Pat. No. 7,633,524, which
`claims a priority to US. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
`No. 60/702,470, each of which is incorporated herein by
`reference in its entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an integrated Internet cam-
`era and/or system that is simple to install, operate and main-
`tain, more particularly to an integrated Internet camera and/or
`Video system that seamlessly and automatically transmits,
`receives, stores and/or archives still images, video and/or
`audio to and from a web site service/monitor center over the
`
`Internet using one or more integrated Internet cameras.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The increasing use and awareness ofthe utility afforded by
`the Internet has transformed this simple image recording or
`capture process into a more complicated process requiring
`permanent storage and providing a secure centralized access
`to such storage from any remote location.
`The currently available camera systems available are rigid
`and expensive. These systems are complex and require a host
`ofperipheral devices to place an image on the Internet or Web.
`Additionally, these systems are bulky and not very portable.
`Moreover, the user must install one or more software to oper-
`ate such camera systems. In a security monitoring applica-
`tion, these camera systems require a qualified operator to
`operate and maintain such system.
`An example of such prior camera system is shown in FIG.
`1. In order for an operator to transfer the still image, video
`and/or audio file from a video camera 100 to an account on the
`
`Internet or Web, the operator must connect the video camera
`100 to a personal computer PC 200. The still image, video
`and/or audio file is transferred and stored in the PC 200 before
`
`it is transferred or uploaded onto the Internet. That is, the
`camera 100 must be connected to a network device (e.g., PC
`200) before it can transmit or receive still image, video or
`audio files.
`
`Some have attempted to resolve this problem by purchas-
`ing a network card (wired or wireless) to enable their camera
`100 to connect to the Internet without a separate network
`device (i.e., PC 200). However, such solution is only available
`if the camera 100 can accept such network card and does not
`provide two-way access to the image file, i.e., transmitting to
`storage and receiving from storage. Additionally, such solu-
`tion generally requires the operator to install the network card
`and accompanying software to “network” enabled camera
`100.
`
`Therefore, it is desirable to have an integrated Internet
`camera system that can seamlessly upload and download
`video and/or audio files to and from the Internet, transmits
`these files to another web-enabled portable device (e.g.,
`another camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell
`phone and the like), receive/download video and/or audio
`
`10
`
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`20
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`25
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`2
`
`files from another portable device and/or store/archive these
`files in a secure website without the necessity ofconnecting to
`another device, such as a PC 200.
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`There are many commercial and general consumer needs
`for this integrated Internet camera system. Some examples
`are in the fields of security, engineering, entertainment,
`advertising, child care monitoring and personal use, such as
`for family social occasions.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide an integrated Internet camera system (“IICS”) that
`allows even the novice users to seamlessly link their Internet
`direct cameras (“IDC”) to a dedicated website of the IICS
`operator (such as a website archive and review center
`(“WSARC”) to begin recording/storing/archiving of the
`images on the WSARC by simply powering their IDC. The
`present invention’s ease of use, less working parts, lower
`maintenances, lower expenses, and easily accessible support
`enables the novice users to quickly employ and enjoy the IICS
`of the present invention. Additionally, the IICS is very flex-
`ible, it can be easily expanded and customized to provide a
`host of services and meet various needs of both personal and
`commercial users.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide the
`IICS as aforesaid, which comprises IDC that can automati-
`cally and seamlessly connect to the WSARC by simply pow-
`ering on the IDC. That is, when an operator takes a picture, the
`IDC automatically transmits the image to the WSARC.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide an inexpensive and efficient camera having all nec-
`essary functionality for transmission and reception of real-
`time, stored and archived digital images to and from the
`Internet in a single, portable standalone apparatus (i.e., an
`embedded system), without requiring the use of an external
`controlling apparatus such as a personal computer.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`WSARC that enables an authorized user to schedule trans-
`
`mission of digital images to one or more IDC(s) upon receipt
`ofan image from an IDC associated with that authorized user.
`A further of the present invention is to provide a portable,
`standalone camera that
`initiates transmission of digital
`images to the Internet, i.e., WSARC, upon an image capture.
`In accordance with an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, an integrated Internet camera system for transmitting
`digital images to an Internet address comprises an image
`pickup, an optical module for forming an image on the image
`pickup, and an image capturing module for capturing digital
`images from the image pickup. A wireless device or SIMMS
`card connects and maintains the IDC’s connection to the
`
`Internet for transmission of the digital image files to a user
`account associated with the IDC at a predetermined Internet
`address (i.e., WSARC) and transfers the digital image files to
`the user account. The digital image files in the user account
`are then available to authorized users ofthe account. Depend-
`ing on the access privilege such authorized user may access
`the entire or a portion of the stored/archived digital image
`files.
`
`In accordance with an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, an integrated Internet camera system comprises a web-
`site archive and review center
`(WSARC)
`for storing,
`archiving and managing images and an Internet direct camera
`(IDC) for capturing an image, automatically transmitting the
`image to an account associated with said IDC on the WSARC
`upon image capture and receiving stored/archived image
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1001, p. 5
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1001, p. 5
`
`
`
`US 8,581,991 B1
`
`3
`from the WSARC. The IDC comprises a display for display-
`ing the captured image and the received image. The IDC
`automatically connects to the WSARC over an Internet con-
`nection on power-up.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention is further explained in the descrip-
`tion which follows with reference to the drawings, illustrat-
`ing, by way of non-limiting examples, various embodiments
`of the invention, with like reference numerals representing
`similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
`FIG. 1 shows a conventional stationary camera which cap-
`tures and transmits images to the Internet using a local PC;
`and
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates an Integrated Internet camera system in
`accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an integrated
`Internet camera system (IICS) 1000 in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention comprising a plurality
`Internet direct cameras (IDCs) 2000 connected to a website
`archive and storage center (WSARC) 3000 over the Internet
`4000. The WSARC 3000 comprises a web server 3010 and
`one or more database 3020 to store and/or archive images
`received from the IDCs 2000. The IICS 1000 uses the IDC
`
`2000 (preferably a multi-mode camera) to transmit a still
`image, video and audio (collectively referred to herein as the
`“data”), onto the Internet 4000 via a multi mode Internet
`Access Antenna (IAA) 2600 to a monitored WSARC 3000.
`The IDC 2000 can connect to the Internet via, but not limited
`to, land line, DSL, cable, satellite, wireless network, cellular,
`Wi-Fi, Wi-Max and the like. Preferably, the IDC 2000 con-
`nects to the Internet via a primary mode of communication
`and switches over the secondary mode of communication if
`the IDC 2000 detects a failure in the primary mode of com-
`munication. For example, if the IDC 2000 is programmed or
`setup to use Wi-Fi as a primary mode of communication, the
`IDC 2000 can switch to a cellular communication ifthe Wi-Fi
`communication is lost or unavailable.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises an embedded
`address, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card 2610
`or other comparable device or means to enable the IDC’s
`connection to the WSARC 3000 to be embedded, preset,
`encrypted, proprietary and firewall protected. Ifthe IDC 2000
`is faulty or inoperable, the user can simply remove its SIM
`card 2610 and install it in the new IDC 2000. That is, the SIM
`card 2610 is interchangeable from one IDC 2000 to another
`IDC 2000.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises a microcontroller
`or microprocessor 2200 for controlling the various compo-
`nents of the IDC 2000, a display 2300, preferably LCD dis-
`play, to display captured images, an image-forming optical
`system 2500 for capturing images, a compression module
`2210 for compressing captured images, a storage device 2400
`for storing and/or archiving capture images, an image adjust-
`ing module 2220 for performing image processing on a
`stored/archived digital image and a text module 2230 for
`superimposing text information on a stored/archived digital
`image. In accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention, the microcontroller 2200 controls the compression
`
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`
`4
`
`module 2210 to perform image compression, e.g., JPEG,
`Huffman, wavelet and the like and outputs images in JPEG,
`TIFF, GIFF and other known formats for storage in the stor-
`age device 2400 and/or transmission to the WSARC 3000.
`The microcontroller 2200 also can control the image adjust-
`ing module 2220 to adjust the resolution of image stored/
`archived in the storage device 2400 on a continuous scale with
`preferred preservation of aspect ratio either before or after
`storage therein or before or after transmission to the WSARC
`3000.
`
`All of the electronic, mechanical, optical and display com-
`ponents of the IDC 2000 are housed within a camera body
`2100. A viewfinder 2530 allows the operator to view a scene
`corresponding to, or identical to, an image formed on an
`image pickup 2510 of the IDC 2000 via the image-forming
`optical system 2500. The image-forming optical system 2500
`can comprises a zoom lens or an auto-focus system.
`The display 2300 displays the results of user interaction,
`status reporting to the user and images/vides captured or
`received by the IDC 2000. The storage device 2400 can be a
`memory, a hard drive, a DRAM, a NAND, a flash memory, a
`memory stick, a storage disk and the like. It is appreciated that
`IDC 2000 without the storage device 2400 has the benefit of
`lowering the cost of the IDC 2000. The storage device 2400
`advantageously enables the user to continue recording even if
`the Internet connection is temporarily lost or unavailable.
`Instead of the viewfinder 2530, the IDC 2000 in accor-
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention utilizes a
`detachable or integrated full video (LCD) display 2300.
`Accordingly, the display 2300 is a color or grayscale (video)
`LCD, and the microcontroller 2200 drives the display 2300 to
`show images formed on the image pickup 2510.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the storage device 2400 records the data
`constantly, preferably with a chosen time frame override. In
`accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the IDC
`2000 transmits the data to the WSARC 3000 and simulta-
`
`neously records the data on the storage device 2400.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises a meter that shows
`amount of time or data remaining to be transmitted to the
`WSARC 3000.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the storage device 1120 records the data
`when the Internet connection is lost. The IDC 2000 transmits
`the stored/archived data when the Internet connection to the
`
`the storage
`WSARC 3000 is re-established. Preferably,
`device 2400 records the data until all recorded data is sent to
`the WSARC 3000 over the Internet 4000 and then move
`
`seamlessly to transmitting live data without loss of data.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the storage device 1120 records the data
`where Internet access is unavailable, such as a factory or a
`remote site. Periodically, the IDC 2000 can be moved to a site
`where Internet access is available and the recordings can be
`transmitted to the WSARC 3000. In accordance with an
`
`embodiment of the present invention, the IDC 2000 can be
`replaced with another IDC 2000 so the recording is continu-
`ous. Preferably, the storage device 2400 is removable such
`that the storage device 2400 is periodically replaced with a
`new one so that the recording is continuous. The recordings
`on the removed IDC 2000 and/or the storage device 1120 are
`then transferred to the WSARC 3000.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises a light indicator,
`such as an LED 2310, indicating whether the IDC 2000 is
`connected to the Internet (i.e., the WSARC 3000). The LED
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1001, p. 6
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1001, p. 6
`
`
`
`US 8,581,991 B1
`
`5
`2310 is “green” to indicate that the IDC 2000 is connected to
`the WSARC 3000 and “red” to indicate that the IDC 2000 is
`
`not connected to the WSARC 3000. This will advantageously
`enable the user or operator ofthe IDC 2000 to know the status
`ofthe Internet connection immediately. In accordance with an
`aspect of the present invention, if the WSARC 3000 loses
`connection to an IDC 2000, the WSARC 3000 sends an email
`to a predetermined address or places a phone call to a prede-
`termined number (or other comparable notification means)
`designated by the registered user of the IDC 2000.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises a motion sensor
`2700 for activating the recording only when the motion sen-
`sor 2700 detects motion. For example, this can be useful for
`monitoring remote, unpopulated locations, such as a ware-
`house or a factory in off-hour or a summer or winter home in
`off-season, for any unauthorized intrusion. Preferably, the
`IDC 2000 only records when the motion sensor 2700 detects
`an activity or motion within a monitoring area or site. In
`accordance with an aspect of the present invention, upon
`activation ofthe IDC 2000, the WSARC 3000 can be setup or
`program to send an email to a predetermined address or place
`a phone call to a predetermined number (or other comparable
`notification means), which can be designated by the regis-
`tered user ofthe IDC 2000.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 can be placed or mounted on
`a mounting device 1100 which can rotate or pivot the IDC
`2000, thereby enabling the operator to remotely control the
`IDC 2000 via the WSARC 3000. As noted herein, for
`example, when the registered user receives an email or a
`phone call that the IDC 2000 has detected an activity within a
`warehouse, the registered user can log onto the WSARC 3000
`and remotely operate one or more IDCs 2000 within the
`warehouse to determine the cause of this activity. Alterna-
`tively, an operator associated with the WSARC 3000 can
`remotely operate one or more IDCs 2000 within the ware-
`house to determine the cause of this activity. Such remote
`monitoring capability with the IICS 1000 enables the opera-
`tor of the WSARC 3000 or the registered user to quickly
`determine if the activity is a false alarm or real intrusion that
`needs to be dealt with and reported to the local police author-
`ity.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the WSARC 3 000 is staffed with operators,
`technicians, security personnel and the like to provide a full
`monitoring service, such as 24/7 (24 hours/7 days a week)
`monitoring service. Ifthe operator ofthe WSARC 3 000 deter-
`mines if there is an incident or event warranting a investiga-
`tion within a remote monitoring site, such as a home, office,
`warehouse, etc., the operator can dispatch a security person-
`nel to investigate the incident.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises a battery 2800,
`which provides power to all of the components of the IDC
`2000. It is appreciated that IDC 2000 can be powered by any
`variety of power sources. The IDC 2000 can be powered
`exclusively by the internal battery 2800 or by other power
`sources, such as solar power or AC power with the internal
`battery 2800 serving as a backup power source. Preferably,
`the internal battery 2800 is a rechargeable battery that can be
`recharged by solar or electrical power. The rechargeable bat-
`tery can incorporate an AC adapter, preferably provided out-
`side the IDC 2000 in order to reduce the size of the camera.
`
`The AC adapter plugs into a conventional AC outlet, and can
`be a “Universal” AC adapter connectible to various world-
`wide AC supplies. In accordance with an embodiment of the
`
`6
`present invention, the IDC 2000 can be setup or programmed
`to alert the WSARC 3000 to send an email to a predetermined
`address or place a call to predetermined number (or other
`comparable notification means) when the IDC 2000 deter-
`mines the power ofthe battery 2800 is below a predetermined
`threshold. Additionally,
`the WSARC 3000 automatically
`sends an email to a predetermined address or place a call to a
`predetermined number (or other comparable notification
`means) when the WSARC 3000 is unavailable to communi-
`cate with WSARC 3000 for any reason, such as loss ofpower,
`loss of Internet connection, etc. This advantageously alerts
`the registered user of the IDC 2000 to replace the IDC’s
`battery 2800.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 can be used as a cell phone
`employing voice over IP (VOIP) via the Internet connection
`or traditional cellular network for voice communication and/
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`or data transmission, such as text messages. Additionally, the
`IDC 2000 can use the Internet connection to download live or
`recorded audio and/or video content from the Internet. The
`
`20
`
`necessary hardware and software components can reside
`within the IDC 2000 or in a separate device removable attach-
`able to the IDC 2000.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IICS 1000 is deployed in a warehouse
`with 10 IDCs 2000. The registered user or an operator of the
`WSARC 3000 can view all ten IDCs 2000 individually,
`together or in a group. It is appreciated that more IDCs 2000
`can be added or distributed over multiple warehouses or
`buildings.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the image pickup 2510 ofthe IDC 2000 can
`be infrared or UV light sensor suitable for recording or gen-
`erating infrared or UV images. Preferably, the IDC 2000
`comprises a scope-shaped attachment the can provide spe-
`cialized lighting and/or scope-shaped magnified zoom lens to
`provide specialized viewing. For example, this enables the
`IDC 2000 to record fine cracks and crevices in machinery
`and/or building. The infrared light capability advantageously
`permits the IICS 1000 to operate in low light to monitor
`building or warehouse at night.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the WSARC 3000 is accessible by regis-
`tered users and users authorized by registered users using
`their login name and password. The registered user can give
`other users access or viewing rights to certain files, folders,
`etc. on a permanent or temporary basis. That is, the user’s
`ability to view recordings or data stored/archived in the
`WSARC 3000 will be dictated by the rights assigned to the
`user. The grouping and granting of certain viewing rights can
`be pre-set by the registered user or owner of the account. In
`accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention, the WSARC 3000 can provide temporary access
`based on certain preference or fee. For example, to help cover
`the cost of recording Little League baseball games, a regis-
`tered user can establish an account so parents, grandparents
`and friends of the players can access and download the
`recordings ofthe games for a fee. The fee can be one-time fee
`(i.e., for the entire season), per game, per access, etc.
`It is appreciated that WSARC 3000 comprises standard
`known tools to enable the registered user can organize their
`images. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the registered user can organize the images
`by location, e.g., warehouse, home, country house, etc., using
`a file folder hierarchy structure. When a user clicks on one of
`the displayed location, the WSARC 3000 displays another
`menu listing the groups within that location. For example,
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1001, p. 7
`
`IPR2017-02059, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1001, p. 7
`
`
`
`US 8,581,991 B1
`
`7
`when a user clicks the location labeled “warehouse,” the
`WSARC 3000 can list the following groups: ofiice, garage,
`interior warehouse, outside perimeter, parking lot, etc. When
`a user clicks the location labeled “home,” the WSARC 3000
`can list the following groups: 1” floor, 2"”! floor, living room,
`dining room, kitchen, garage, bedroom 1, bedroom 2, base-
`ment, outside perimeter, etc.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the WSARC 3000 can archive the record-
`ings by date (such as year), name, or by event titled by the
`registered user. That is, the registered user can name or
`rename the recordings. This advantageously enables the user
`to search the archive by date, name or event. The registered
`user can label the events such as weddings, birthdays, anni-
`versaries, etc. When a user clicks on an event labeled “birth-
`days,” the WSARC 3000 displays a list of all of titles named
`“birthday,” for example:
`Rita Marie’s 15‘ Birthday
`Rita Marie’s 16th Birthday
`Frankie’s 15‘ Birthday
`Mommy’s 30th Birthday
`Grandma’s 70th Birthday
`It is appreciated that these events is also searchable by date
`and name. These events would be available to search by date
`and by group name. Whichever method is easier for the user
`to find, this all depends on the detail of label a given user
`employs.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the text module 2230 enables the registered
`user to type over the images before the images are transmitted
`to the WSARC 3000. Preferably, the LCD display 2300 com-
`prises a touch keypad for entering text and labeling the image
`before it is transmitted to the WSARC 3000.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises a plug-in, e.g.,
`USB port, for a microphone or headphones, to enable to the
`user to record voice over the live or recorded images. Alter-
`natively, the WSARC 3000 comprises tools to enable the
`registered user to edit the recorded images to record voice
`over the stored/archived images to clarify, comment or
`explain the recorded images.
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`embodiment of the present
`invention, each account at
`WSARC 3000 can be assigned to one or more registered
`users, thereby permitting each registered user of the account
`to seamlessly transmit and receive images from the other
`registered user. For example, the parents are vacationing in
`Europe, the grandparents live in Brazil, Rita Marie is skiing in
`New Zealand and Frankie is diving in Hawaii. The IICS 1000
`of the present invention enables the parents to seamlessly
`receive images from and transmit images to their daughter in
`New Zealand, the grandparents in Brazil and their son in
`Hawaii.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the IDC 2000 comprises a web browser
`linked to the Internet 4000. The registered user can use the
`IDC 2000 to retrieve or view stored/archived images in its
`account on the WSARC 3000, manage its WSARC account,
`send/receive emails via an email account established on the
`WSARC 3000 or surf the Internet.
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the registered user can access the WSARC
`3000 using the IDC 2000 or a standard computer to retrieve,
`view stored/archived images, email stored/archived images
`or download stored/archived images onto a CD, DVD and the
`like.
`
`8
`The IDC 2000 of the present invention comprises all ofthe
`standard known components to capture digital images, make
`a connection to the Internet, and transmit images over the
`Internet. This advantageously enables the IDC 2000 to be
`used in many applications, such as in entertainment, adver-
`tising, education, security, trafiic monitoring, weather moni-
`toring, child care monitoring, surveillance, and general con-
`sumer applications.
`forth particular
`Although the above description sets
`embodiments of the present invention, modifications of the
`invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,
`and it is intended that the scope ofthe invention be determined
`solely by the appended claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A method for transmitting and receiving still or video
`images by an Internet direct device associated with a user over
`a communications network, comprising the steps of:
`automatically connecting the Internet direct device to said
`communications network on power-up using one of a
`plurality of available modes of connection, which is
`designated as a primary mode of connection;
`capturing still or video images by an image capture system
`of the Internet direct device;
`transmitting the captured still or video images to an
`account associated with the Internet direct device on a
`
`website archive and review (WSARC) upon image cap-
`ture by a microprocessor of the Internet direct device;
`receiving still or video images from said WSARC over the
`communications network by the Internet direct device;
`and
`
`automatically switching to another available mode of con-
`nection by the microprocessor when the Internet direct
`device detects that said primary mode of connection to
`the communications network is unavailable.
`
`2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step ofautomatically
`switching comprises the step of switching to one of the fol-
`lowing available modes of connection: a land line, DSL,
`cable, satellite, wireless netw