Wireless Network Camera Systems

Abstract

Apparatus, systems and techniques associated with battery powered wireless camera systems. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a battery powered wireless camera including an internal battery to provide energy and a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods. The system includes a base station, separated from the battery powered wireless camera, in wireless communication with the battery powered wireless camera to receive information from the battery powered wireless camera. The base station is configured to process the received information and includes a web server to transmit the processed information to a client. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.

1 . A wireless camera system comprising:
 a wireless camera; and   a base station, separated from the wireless camera, in wireless communication with the wireless camera and configured to receive information from the wireless camera, the base station further configured to process the received information and including a web server to transmit the processed information to a client.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the received information is video data from the wireless camera. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a network connecting the base station and the client, the client including a video surveillance application to display video images. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitted information comprises compressed video signals. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless camera is configured to be powered up or to obtain information in response to a trigger event caused by one of a sound detection, an infrared motion detection, an ultrasonic detection, a video processing based movement detection, a relay switch, a micro switch, and a radio signaling circuitry. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless camera is solar powered. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , where the wireless camera is a network camera comprising:
 an internal battery;   a networking module configured to communicate with a network;   an image capturing module configured to capture images; and   an image compression circuit configured to compress the captured images.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless camera includes a privacy lens cap configured to enhance privacy and prevent the image capturing module from capturing images. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the received information is transmitted to the base station during burst periods. 
     
     
         10 . A wireless camera system comprising:
 a wireless camera; and   a computer running a software application that analyzes and stores information from the wireless camera for a security or surveillance purpose;   wherein the computer is located away from the wireless camera.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the computer is located at a remote client site or a base station. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods; and   a base station, separated from the wireless camera, in wireless communication with the wireless camera and configured to receive the information from the wireless camera;   wherein the base station is configured to process the information; and   wherein the burst periods are determined based on at least one of a wireless link channel average bandwidth capacity, a fidelity of images transmitted, and a latency of establishing and terminating a wireless connection between the wireless camera and the base station.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a first wireless link is configured to connect the wireless camera and a base station. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a base station is configured to receive the information from the wireless camera to perform operations comprising:
 scanning one or more communication channels for channel availability between the base station and the one or more wireless cameras;   obtaining an available channel for data transmission based on the scanning of channel availability; and   associating the available channel with the wireless camera.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the associating comprises:
 reserving the available channel for a predetermined period of time; and   assigning the reserved available channel to the wireless camera.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein during the predetermined period of time, the available channel appears to other wireless cameras as unavailable for wireless communication. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the wireless camera includes an uncompressed image capture module configured to operate based on periods that are different from the burst periods. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the wireless camera includes a compression module configured to operate based on periods that are different from the burst periods. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising an internal battery, wherein an output voltage of the internal battery is boosted or regulated by an active power management circuitry. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising;
 an internal battery coupled to the wireless camera and providing power to the wireless camera; and   a solar panel coupled to the internal battery and configured to recharge the internal battery.