Abstract:
A system and method for a visual communication system is disclosed comprising a camera for capturing images, an electronic display for displaying the images captured by the camera, a communication interface for communicating the captured images, and a rugged casing protecting the electronic display, the camera, and the communication interface.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present application relates in general to multimedia communications, and more particularly, to a system and method for providing remote monitoring from a ruggedized package.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In the services industry, there is typically an effort made to improve the relationship with the consumer as well as to improve the consumer&#39;s experience. These goals usually entail increasing the involvement of the consumer in the particular service being offered. When the consumer feels informed regarding any decisions that need to be made, or is shown the steps and progress of the service, the consumer is more likely to feel satisfied with the service and the service provider. For example, if an auto mechanic shows a torn or worn-out belt to the car owner, the consumer will likely feel more confident in approving the repair than he or she would if the consumer merely talks to the mechanic on the telephone. Without actually viewing the malfunctioning part, the consumer may feel that the mechanic is trying to perform an unnecessary service.  
           [0003]    In another example, a contractor may encounter a problem with a remodeling project that requires the consumer to view an item or make a choice between two items. If the contractor makes the choice, he or she runs the risk of doing something that the consumer does not like. If the contractor must wait for the consumer to visit the work site, valuable time may be wasted. In order to provide the most pleasing experience, the service provider would generally have to have the consumer wait at the service location for the duration of the service. While this practice would allow the consumer the most hands-on experience with the service being provided, it is not practical for consumers who must work or who do not wish to stand around idly waiting for some unknown event.  
           [0004]    Some newer systems which take advantage of digital and computer technology allow for cameras to be installed in service locations. The cameras may generally connect to the Internet to display the captured images. Consumers may then access the Internet to view the images from the camera. One such application gaining popularity are the day care cameras that allow parents to access the current status of the day care their children may attend. While this solution provides greater access by the parent, the typical cameras and apparatus used to implement the service are too delicate to use in the more harsh environments of an auto shop or a construction/remodeling site. Furthermore, in situations such as the construction site, the current methods do not provide the portability to bring such equipment temporarily into the job at a reasonable cost.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention is directed to a system and method for a visual communication system comprising a camera for capturing images, an electronic display for displaying the images captured by the camera, a communication interface for communicating the captured images, and a rugged casing protecting the electronic display, the camera, and the communication interface.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention configured with a laptop computer;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a is a perspective view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the present invention configured with a personal data assistant; and  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing the steps performed in implementing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention configured using a laptop computer. Remote monitor  10  preferably includes display  100  and camera  101 , with attached light source  104 , all covered with rugged casing  103  to protect each of the elements of remote monitor  10 . Within remote monitor  10 , communication interface  102  preferably controls the communication of multimedia data. Handset  105  is preferably connected to remote monitor  10  to allow the service technician to receive audio data through speaker  105 - 1  and send audio data through microphone  105 - 2  both to and from a remote consumer. Communication interface  102  preferably includes transceiver  102 - 1  for wirelessly transmitting and receiving the multimedia data to a remote location and signal processor  102 - 2  for processing the out-going and in-coming multimedia data.  
         [0011]    In operation, the service technician may preferably manipulate camera  101 , with attached light source  104 , to point at and capture any image related to the service being performed. Camera  101  may be rotated around a z-axis at rotatable pivot  106  to maneuver camera  101  to point at the image. Additionally, camera  101  may be rotated about hinge  107  to point camera up or down along the z-axis shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, light source  104  may also be rotated about hinge  108  to pan the light up or down the z-axis. Camera  101  may preferably capture either still or video images. The captured images may optionally be displayed to the service technician on display  100  and also preferably processed for communication by signal processor  102 - 2  of communication interface  102 . The service technician may also preferably initiate or facilitate verbal communication with a remote user by using handset  105 . Remote monitor  10  may either establish an audio connection with a remote user over a standard telephone line or wireless telephone system, or may establish a digital audio connection, such as, by way of example and not for limitation, with voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology, through a computer network, such as the Internet.  
         [0012]    The images captured by camera  101  may then preferably be communicated to a remote user by transmitting the processed images through transceiver  102 - 1 . Depending on the speed or availability of the remote consumer&#39;s Internet connection, remote monitor  10  may either send streaming, multimedia video images of the service project, or may send individual still images through e-mail or other non-time critical communication protocols. The remote consumer will then preferably be able to view the service project and answer any questions or give any directions to the service provider. For example, if a contractor needed the exact location to place a window or to install a communication outlet, the contractor would maneuver camera  101  with attached light source  104  to preferably capture the image of the general vicinity of the service. The captured image would preferably be displayed on display  100  to assist the service provider in capturing the correct images. The captured images would then preferably be transmitted in communication interface  102  through transceiver  102 - 1  to a point at which the remote consumer would be able to access the transmitted images. The service provider would also preferably initiate an audio connection with the remote consumer through handset  105 . By viewing the captured images and being audibly connected to the service provider, the remote consumer would preferably be able to provide detailed instructions to the contractor as to the exact location to perform the service.  
         [0013]    It should be noted that rugged casing  103  preferably allows the service provider to place remote monitor  10  into many different positions. Rugged casing  103  will prevent remote monitor  10 , camera  101 , and attached light source  104  from being damaged by reasonably sized debris or other matter that may be present at a work site.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention configured as a larger unit that preferably incorporates standard camera  201  and telescoping miniature camera  205 . Monitor station  20  also preferably includes monitor  200 , light  204 , microphone  206 , and speaker  207 . Monitor station  20  is preferably connected to Internet  22  through communication interface  202 . The entire system is preferably protected by reinforcing shell  203 .  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 illustrates an example use for monitor station  20  in an auto shop. In operation, a mechanic may initiate communication with a remote user by calling the user on user&#39;s telephone  24  to discuss a repair situation on automobile  21 . The mechanic preferably speaks to the remote user through microphone  206  and hears all audible responses from the remote user through speaker  207 . The mechanic may preferably give the remote user a uniform resource location (URL) address for accessing the images capture by either of standard camera  201  or telescoping miniature camera  205 . It should be noted that miniature camera  205  may also comprise a fiber optic cable with a light source that sends the image data to a photoreceptor located within monitor station  20 . The remote user could then use workstation  23  to access the URL over Internet  22 . Communication interface  202  would preferably begin processing and communicating the captured images over Internet  22 . Once the remote user accesses the appropriate URL, which may or may not require a password, the remote user would preferably be able to view the images on local display  230 .  
         [0016]    To view larger field images, the mechanic may preferably use standard camera  201  with its light  204  to illuminate the desired target. Standard camera  201  may preferably be manipulated in certain limited directions to give wide-angle view of large fields or objects. However, the mechanic may also preferably use telescoping miniature camera  205 , which may or may not incorporate its own light source, to capture images directly inside the engine of automobile  21 . The telescoping mechanism of telescoping miniature camera  205  may comprise a spring assisted coiling system such as shown in reel  208 . The mechanic would therefore preferably pull the protective tubing of telescoping miniature camera  205  up to a certain maximum length to capture images at a distance from monitoring station  20 .  
         [0017]    It should be noted that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, a camera unit may communicate captured image data using a known wireless technology, such as infrared (IR) or some form of radio frequency (RF) link.  
         [0018]    By placing telescoping miniature camera  205  into the engine compartment of automobile  21 , the mechanic can capture the images of a broken part and have that image processed and communicated over Internet  22  by communication interface  202 . Because the remote user can now visually inspect the damaged part through the images displayed on local display  230 , which were captured by telescoping miniature camera  205 , and is also in voice communication with the mechanic, the remote user can preferably make an informed decision regarding the repair of automobile  21 . The ability to see the problem makes the remote user more confident that the mechanic is recommending only necessary repairs. This builds trust between the customer and the mechanic which not only improves the service experience of the consumer but also builds the reputation of the mechanic.  
         [0019]    Reinforcing shell  203  also preferably helps prevent damage to monitoring station  20  by preventing water, dirt, corrosive, or caustic materials from contacting the system. It further may preferably provide electronic shielding from any electronic equipment or magnetic motors operating in the area. Thus, reinforcing shell  203  increases the effective life of monitoring station  20  even though it is operated in a more hazardous environment.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 illustrates a further alternative embodiment configured with a personal data assistant (PDA). Hand monitor  30  preferably includes display  300 , camera  301 , and protective covering  304 . It also preferably includes antenna  303  coupled to communication interface  302  for facilitating wireless communication of multimedia data. In operation of hand monitor  30 , the service provider preferably points camera  301  at the desired location, using display  300  to determine when camera  301  is pointed to the correct point. Using any number of different wireless technologies, including Bluetooth™, IEEE 802.11, HomeRF, personal communication service (PCS), and the like, the images captured by camera  301  may preferably be transmitted to a remote customer. In order to facilitate verbal communication, hand monitor  30  is preferably coupled to headset  305  which allows the service provider to hear any speech signals received from the remote customer, as well as sending speech signals to the remote customer.  
         [0021]    Protective covering  304  preferably prevents hand monitor  30  from being damaged if it is dropped or if some reasonably sized material falls on it or comes into contact with it. This protection allows the service provider to focus his or her concentration on communicating with the remote customer rather than worrying about taking care of a delicate piece of electronic equipment.  
         [0022]    The size of hand monitor  30  also preferably allows the service provider to carry and use the monitoring functionality to any different number of work sites or in smaller locations without the necessity of a more bulky package.  
         [0023]    It should be noted that some alternative embodiments may not incorporate a light source. These embodiments would preferably rely on the sensitivity of the camera and the power of the signal processor in the communication interface to capture viewable images. Alternatively, the service provider may supplement the lighting with a flashlight or other portable lighting equipment. Thus the remote monitoring system of the present invention is not limited to incorporating a light source.  
         [0024]    It should further be noted that some alternative embodiments of the present invention may not incorporate a handset or other equipment to facilitate audible communication with a remote customer. In such alternative embodiments, the service provider may use a standard telephone or wireless telephone to verbally communicate with the remote customer.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a flow chart which relates the steps performed in operating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In step  400 , the equipment comprising the remote monitoring device is preferably reinforced to prevent damage to the system. A network connection is then preferably established between a service provider and a customer in step  401 . In step  402 , a voice communication link is then established between the service provider and the customer. A service being provided or object to be viewed is illuminated by a light source in step  403 . In step  404 , images of the service are preferably visually captured. The captured images are then processed in step  405 . After processing, the captured images are preferably displayed to the service provider in step  406 ; preferably communicated to the customer in step  407 ; and then preferably displayed to the customer in step  408 .