Abstract:
The present invention relates to wearable, remotely operable security camera equipment. Specifically, the present invention relates to a police camera with remote activation of the record feature. The invention also includes positional awareness for activation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application makes reference for priority to U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 62/368720 filed Jul. 29, 2016 and incorporates it in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to wearable, remotely operable security camera equipment. Specifically, the present invention relates to a police camera with remote activation of the record feature. The invention also includes positional awareness for activation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently, there are numerous police cameras worn as part of law enforcement officer&#39;s apparel. The most common variant is a clip-on version that is worn on the officer&#39;s upper body area such as a shoulder or a chest. These camera systems present numerous technical innovations. However, there is no product that incorporates both automatic (remote) activation of the record phase of the camera and positional (attitudinal) activation of the record phase of the camera. 
         [0004]    Thus, it is a first goal of the present invention to provide a wearable security camera that is remotely activated by the dispatcher of the call. 
         [0005]    It is a second goal of the present invention to provide a wearable security camera that is automatically activated by the position (attitude) of the camera as it is worn by the police officer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises two components: 1) A wearable wireless digital camera; and, 2) A remote activation application running on a computer for managing and activating the camera as it is worn. 
         [0007]    The wearable wireless digital camera is contained in a lightweight housing with a mounting clip attached. The lightweight housing of the wearable wireless digital camera is generally rectilinear in shape. The mounting clip is attached to the back of the wearable wireless digital camera body and is rotatable with respect to the center point of the wearable wireless digital camera housing such that the clip may be rotated an arbitrary amount to form any angle with respect to the housing of the wearable wireless digital camera. The mounting clip allows the officer to affix the wearable wireless digital camera to his or her clothing. 
         [0008]    The wearable wireless digital camera comprises the following external features: 1) A camera lens; 2) A microphone; 3) A large distress button; 4) A smaller power button mounted on the side of the device; 5) A power on indicator lamp; 6) A recording on indicator lamp; 7) A low power indicator lamp; 8) An annunciator indicting that the device is being used to record images; 9) A mounting clip; and, 10) A docking port. 
         [0009]    Internally, the wearable wireless digital camera comprises the following components: 1) A camera associated with the camera lens; 2) An accelerometer/inclinometer; 3) A GPS receiver; 4) A wireless data transceiver; 5) A processor; 6) A battery; and, 7) RAM/ROM memory. 
         [0010]    The wearable wireless digital camera contains a software program that coordinates and controls its functions. The software program is stored in the ROM portion of the memory, executes on the processor, and stores results in the RAM/ROM portion of the memory. 
         [0011]    Ordinarily, the wearable wireless digital camera is worn clipped to the shirt or other external garment or accessory worn by the officer. 
         [0012]    The wearable wireless digital camera is used in the following manner: 
         [0013]    When the wearable wireless digital camera is not being worn, it is stored in a docking station wherein the docking port is attached to external power so that the battery in the wearable wireless digital camera is kept at a constant charge level. Simultaneously, the docking port is attached such that an external computing device accesses the imagery and audio recorded in the memory of the wearable wireless digital camera. The imagery and audio is collected and stored externally to the wearable wireless digital camera. Simultaneously, the docking port is attached such that an external computing device accesses the ROM portion of memory and the software program resident in the wearable wireless digital camera is updated if necessary. 
         [0014]    When the wearable wireless digital camera is first worn the device is in idle state. None of the indicator lamps are illuminated (unless the device&#39;s battery is at or below the preset minimum battery charge whereupon the low power indicator lamp is illuminated). Pressing the power button changes the state of the device from idle state to baseline state. In baseline state the power on indicator lamp is illuminated (and the low power indicator lamp is illuminated if the battery is below the device&#39;s preset low power setting). Also, the device&#39;s GPS coordinates are recorded to the RAM/ROM memory. Also, the device&#39;s inclination is monitored. Pressing the device&#39;s power button in baseline state for a period of time exceeding several seconds—typically 3 seconds, but adjustable up to 15 seconds—transitions the device back to idle state. 
         [0015]    In idle state pressing the distress button first changes the state of the device to baseline state and begins the recording of video from the camera and audio from the microphone. In baseline state pressing the distress button begins the recording of video from the camera and audio from the microphone. Recorded video and audio is stored in the RAM/ROM portion of memory along with the geographic coordinates read from the GPS device. In both cases, the recording on indicator lamp is illuminated. Similarly, the annunciator indicating that recording is occurring is illuminated (if the annunciator is illuminable). Pressing the device&#39;s distress button while recording in baseline state for a period of time exceeding several seconds—typically 3 seconds, but adjustable up to 15 seconds—transitions the device to non-recording state. Similarly, the recording on indicator lamp is turned off and the annunciator indicating that recording is occurring is turned off (if the annunciator may be illuminated). 
         [0016]    In baseline state any tilting of the device beyond a preset level—typically 30°, but adjustable to 50°—above horizontal begins recording of video from the camera and audio from the microphone along with the geographic coordinates read from the GPS device. Any such deviation from vertical is caused by the officer being at or near horizontal on the ground such as might be encountered in a struggle or if the officer is disabled. 
         [0017]    Ordinarily, however the device is caused to record by the command of a dispatcher. In this mode the device is in baseline state and the dispatcher acts wirelessly by means of the data transceiver to cause the device to transition to recording state. As above, recorded video and audio is stored in the RAM portion of memory along with the geographic coordinates read from the GPS device. In both these cases, the recording on indicator lamp is illuminated. Similarly, the annunciator indicating that recording is occurring is illuminated (if the annunciator may be illuminated). After the dispatcher has concluded, the dispatcher acts wirelessly by means of the data transceiver to cause the device to stop recording and return to non-recording state. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram showing the front of the wearable wireless digital camera. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram showing the rear of the wearable wireless digital camera. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the components comprising the wearable wireless digital camera. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , wearable wireless digital camera  100  is contained in a lightweight housing with mounting clip  116  attached. Lightweight housing with mounting clip  116  are constructed of plastic, polycarbonate, or metal. The lightweight housing of the exemplary version of wearable wireless digital camera  100  is generally rectilinear in shape. Those having skill in the art will recognize that wearable wireless digital camera  100  may be constructed in any shape. Similarly, wearable wireless digital camera  100  may be constructed in any combination of devices. 
         [0022]    Mounting clip  116  is attached to the back of wearable wireless digital camera  100  body and is rotatable with respect to the center point of the wearable wireless digital camera  100  housing such that mounting clip  116  may be rotated an arbitrary amount to form any angle with respect to the housing of wearable wireless digital camera  100 . Mounting clip  116  allows the officer to affix wearable wireless digital camera  100  to his or her clothing. 
         [0023]    The exemplary version of wearable wireless digital camera  100  comprises the following external features: 1) Camera lens  101   a  (associated with camera  101 ); 2) Microphone  104 ; 3) Large distress button  110 ; 4) Smaller power button  111  mounted on the side of wearable wireless digital camera  100 ; 5) Power on indicator lamp  112 ; 6) Recording on indicator lamp  113 ; 7) Low power indicator lamp  114 ; 8) Illuminable annunciator indicating that recording is occurring  115 ; 9) Mounting clip  116 ; and, 10) A docking port  109  (ordinarily mounted on the bottom edge of wearable wireless digital camera  100 ). 
         [0024]    Internally, wearable wireless digital camera  100  comprises the following components: 1) Camera  101  (associated with camera lens  101   a ); 2) Accelerometer/inclinometer  102 ; 3) GPS receiver  103 ; 4) Wireless data transceiver  105  (and associated antenna  105   a ); 5) Processor  106 ; 6) Battery  107 ; and, 7) RAM/ROM memory  108 . 
         [0025]    Camera  101  is comprised of a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device. The exemplary version of camera  101  has a resolution of 640×480 pixels, but those having skill in the art will recognize that any resolution may be used. 
         [0026]    Microphone  104  is comprised of an externally mounted, acoustically transparent port and an internal transducer. In the exemplary version of the present invention, the internal transducer is an electret condenser microphone. Those having skill in the art will recognize that there are numerous other electroacoustic transducers that may be freely interchanged. 
         [0027]    Accelerometer/inclinometer  102  is comprised in the exemplary version of the device as a tilt sensor. Those having skill in the art will recognize that any three-dimensional positioning sensor may be used. Accelerometer/inclinometer  102  is used to determine if the wearer of wearable wireless digital camera  100  is at or near a horizontal location as might be encountered in a struggle or if the officer is disabled. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, whether the officer is horizontal is determined by whether the officer is less than 30° (but adjustable to 50°) above horizontal. 
         [0028]    GPS receiver  103  may receive GPS or GLONASS signals or some combination of both. Those having skill in the art will recognize that numerous competitive satellite technologies and systems exist and that any of these are acceptable substitutes. 
         [0029]    Wireless data transceiver  105  (and associated antenna  105   a ) may be of any type. The exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a cellular data transceiver and antenna. GSM, CDMA, and their technological successors are all acceptable alternatives. 
         [0030]    In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention processor  106  is an ARM-based microprocessor. Intel and other processors are also acceptable alternatives. 
         [0031]    In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, battery  107  ordinarily supplies electrical power to camera  101 , accelerometer/inclinometer  102 , GPS receiver  103 , microphone  104 , wireless data transceiver  105 , processor  106 , and RAM/ROM memory  108 . Battery  107  may be of any type including lithium ion. 
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illuminable annunciator indicating that recording is occurring  115  comprises an LED backlighting a plastic mounting clip overlaid with a printed notification that recording is occurring. Those have skill in the art will recognize that the printed notification may be in any language and may contain symbols. Similarly, those having skill in the art will recognize that illuminable annunciator indicating that recording is occurring  115  may in fact not be illuminable. 
         [0033]    In the exemplary embodiment, docking port  109  is provided on the bottom edge of wearable wireless digital camera  100 . Docking port  109  provides electrical connections for power and data transmission. Those having skill in the art will recognize that both power and data transmission may occur wirelessly. 
         [0034]    Wearable wireless digital camera  100  contains a software program that coordinates and controls its functions. The software program is stored in the ROM portion of memory  108 , executes on processor  106 , and stores program data and results in the RAM/ROM portion of memory  108 . 
         [0035]    Ordinarily, wearable wireless digital camera  100  is worn clipped to the shirt or other external garment or accessory worn by the officer. The officer actuates mounting clip  116  to spring its terminal edge out away from the housing of wearable wireless digital camera  100 . The officer then secures mounting clip  116  over a strap or cloth fastening point on the outer surface of the officer&#39;s clothing. 
         [0036]    Wearable wireless digital camera  100  is used in the following manner: 
         [0037]    When wearable wireless digital camera  100  is not being worn, it is stored in a docking station wherein docking port  109  is attached to external power so that battery  107  in wearable wireless digital camera  100  is kept at a constant charge level. Simultaneously, docking port  109  is attached such that an external computing device accesses the imagery and audio recorded in the memory of wearable wireless digital camera  100 . The imagery and audio is collected and stored externally to wearable wireless digital camera  100 . Simultaneously, docking port  109  is attached such that an external computing device accesses the ROM portion of memory  108  and the software program resident in wearable wireless digital camera  100  is updated if necessary. 
         [0038]    When wearable wireless digital camera  100  is first worn the device is in idle state. None of the indicator lamps are illuminated (unless the device&#39;s battery is at or below the preset minimum battery charge whereupon low power indicator lamp  114  is illuminated). Pressing smaller power button  111  changes the state of the device from idle state to baseline state. In baseline state power on indicator lamp  112  is illuminated (and low power indicator lamp  114  is illuminated if the battery is below the device&#39;s preset low power setting). Also, processor  106  reads GPS receiver  103  to determine the device&#39;s geographic coordinates and records them to RAM/ROM memory  108 . Also, the device&#39;s accelerometer/inclinometer  102  is monitored. Also, a status signal may be transmitted to the dispatcher. Pressing smaller power button  111  in baseline state for a period of time exceeding several seconds—typically 3 seconds, but adjustable up to 15 seconds—transitions the device back to idle state. Also, a status signal may be transmitted to the dispatcher. 
         [0039]    In idle state pressing large distress button  110  first changes the state of the device to baseline state and begins the recording of video from camera  101  and audio from microphone  104 . In baseline state pressing large distress button  110  begins the recording of video from camera  101  and audio from microphone  104 . Recorded video and audio is stored in the RAM/ROM portion of memory  108  along with the geographic coordinates read from GPS receiver  103 . In both cases, recording on indicator lamp  113  is illuminated. Similarly, annunciator indicating that recording is occurring  115  is illuminated (if the annunciator may be illuminated). Also, a status signal may be transmitted to the dispatcher. Pressing large distress button  110  while recording in baseline state for a period of time exceeding several seconds—typically 3 seconds, but adjustable up to 15 seconds—transitions the device to non-recording state. Similarly, recording on indicator lamp  113  is turned off and the annunciator indicating that recording is occurring  115  is turned off (if the annunciator is illuminated). Also, a status signal may be transmitted to the dispatcher. 
         [0040]    In baseline state any tilting of the device beyond a preset level—typically 30°, but adjustable to 50°—above horizontal begins recording of video from camera  101  and audio from microphone  104  along with the geographic coordinates read from GPS receiver  103 . Any such deviation from vertical is caused by the officer being at or near horizontal on the ground such as might be encountered in a struggle or if the officer is disabled. Also, if this occurs a status signal may be transmitted to the dispatcher. 
         [0041]    Ordinarily, however wearable wireless digital camera  100  is caused to record by the command of a dispatcher. In this mode the wearable wireless digital camera  100  is in baseline state and the dispatcher acts wirelessly by means of wireless data transceiver  105  to cause wearable wireless digital camera  100  to transition to recording state. As above, recorded video and audio is stored in the RAM portion of memory  108  along with the geographic coordinates read from GPS receiver  103 . In both these cases, recording on indicator lamp  113  is illuminated. Similarly, annunciator indicating that recording is occurring  115  is illuminated (if the annunciator may be illuminated). Also, if this occurs a status signal may be transmitted to the dispatcher. After the dispatcher has concluded recording, the dispatcher acts wirelessly by means of wireless data transceiver  105  to cause the device to stop recording and return to non-recording state. Also, if this occurs a status signal may be transmitted to the dispatcher. 
         [0042]    While the present invention has been described in what are thought to be the most useful and practical embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those having skill in the art that other variations may be readily conceived and created. Accordingly, these and all such other readily conceived and created variations are implicitly included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.