Patent Publication Number: US-2011052137-A1

Title: System and method for effectively utilizing a recorder device

Description:
BACKGROUND SECTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to techniques for handling electronic information, and relates more particularly to a system and method for effectively utilizing a recorder device. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Implementing effective methods for handling electronic information is a significant consideration for designers and manufacturers of contemporary electronic entertainment systems. However, effectively handling electronic information may create substantial challenges for system designers. For example, enhanced demands for increased system functionality and performance may require more system processing power and require additional hardware resources. An increase in processing or hardware requirements may also result in a corresponding detrimental economic impact due to increased production costs and operational inefficiencies. 
     Furthermore, enhanced system capability to perform various advanced operations may provide additional benefits to a system user, but may also place increased demands on the control and management of various system components. For example, an enhanced electronic system that effectively captures and manages video information may benefit from an efficient implementation because of the large amount and complexity of the digital data involved. 
     Due to growing demands on system resources and substantially increasing data magnitudes, it is apparent that developing new techniques for handling electronic information is a matter of concern for related electronic technologies. Therefore, for all the foregoing reasons, developing effective systems for handling electronic information remains a significant consideration for designers, manufacturers, and users of contemporary electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are disclosed for effectively implementing a recording system. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a recorder of the recording system initially utilizes a timecode generator to begin generating a timecode signal in any effective manner. The recorder then utilizes a security manager to establish secure wireless connections to a plurality of different cameras in the recording system according to any effective techniques or protocols. 
     The recorder next utilizes a transceiver to wirelessly transmit the generated timecode signal to the different respective cameras. The various cameras then proceed to capture appropriate video data and corresponding audio data. The cameras also utilize respective timecode managers to insert the received timecode into the captured camera data (video data and audio data). The cameras then utilize respective transceivers to transmit the camera data to the recorder which receives the camera data from the various cameras, and then locally stores the received camera data in the recorder memory. 
     In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a connection may also be concurrently provided between the recorder and a public address system (PA) in any effective manner. A recorder application from the recorder accesses the timecode that is being generated by the timecode generator. The recorder receives a PA audio signal from the PA, and the recorder application combines the PA audio signal with the timecode signal to produce PA data. The recorder application then locally stores the PA data in the recorder memory. 
     In accordance with certain embodiments, a connection may be provided between the recorder and a computer in any effective manner. The computer may then initiate bi-directional communications with the recorder according to any appropriate protocols or techniques. An editing program of the computer may gain access to the camera data and the PA data that is stored in the recorder memory. The editing program of the computer may remotely control an editing procedure performed upon the camera data and the PA data while it remains stored in the recorder memory to thereby produce edited data. Finally, the recorder application stores the edited data locally in the recorder memory. The present invention thus provides an improved system and methodology for effectively implementing a recording system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a recording system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram for one embodiment of the recorder of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram for one embodiment of the recorder memory of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram for one embodiment of the camera data of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram for one embodiment of a camera from  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram for one embodiment of the capture subsystem from  FIG. 5 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram for one embodiment of the control module from  FIG. 5 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram for one embodiment of the camera memory from  FIG. 7 , in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 9A-C  provide a flowchart of method steps for effectively utilizing a recording system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to an improvement in recording systems. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
     The present invention is described herein as a system and method for effectively utilizing a recorder device, and includes a timecode generator that generates timecode for synchronizing electronic information. A transceiver of the recorder device wirelessly transmits the timecode to a plurality of cameras. The cameras capture video data and audio data, and timecode managers of the respective cameras combine the received timecode with the captured video data and audio data to produce camera data. The cameras then wirelessly transmit the camera data to the recorder device for storage in a recorder memory. The recorder device may also receive and store PA audio data from a public address system. Furthermore, a computer device may communicate with the recorder device to perform various types of editing procedures on the stored camera data and PA data to produce edited data. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a recording system  110  is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, recording system  110  may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of cameras  112 , a recorder  114 , a public address system (PA)  116 , and a computer  118 . In alternate embodiments, recording system  110  may be implemented by utilizing components and configurations in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components and configurations discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 1  embodiment. 
     In accordance with the present invention, any desired number of cameras  112  may be supported in recording system  110 . In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, cameras  112  may include a camera  1  ( 112 ( a )) through a camera N  112 ( c ). In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, each of the cameras  112  bi-directionally communicates with recorder  114  by utilizing any appropriate and secure wireless communication techniques or other effective communication methods. One implementation for the cameras  112  is further discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 5-8 . 
     In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, recorder  114  may be implemented in any effective manner to concurrently record camera data transmitted from the various cameras  112 . In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, recorder  114  also wirelessly provides a global synchronization signal (such as known or enhanced timecode) to the cameras  112  for combining with the captured video data and audio data. This embedded timecode significantly facilitates any subsequent editing procedures by allowing the camera data from the various cameras to be easily synchronized. 
     In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, recorder  114  typically provides appropriate interface means for connecting a plurality of hard disk drives to support a disk swap procedure that enables greatly extended recording times. For example, when a given hard disk become full, recorder  114  may advantageously switch the recording process to another non-full hard disk. The full hard disk may then be replaced by another empty hard disk. Providing the cameras  112  with wireless access to the hard disks on recorder  114  alleviates the need to locally store the camera data on non-volatile memory in the respective cameras  112 . Additional details for one embodiment of recorder  114  are further discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 2-4 . 
     In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, recorder  114  may be coupled to PA  116  in any effective manner. PA  116  typically includes, but is not limited to, one or more microphones or other audio sources, and an audio mixer device that combines the audio signals into a composite PA audio signal. In certain embodiments, PA  116  may typically be utilized at a particular live event that is concurrently being photographed with cameras  112 . In accordance with the present invention, recorder  114  receives the composite PA audio signal from PA  116 . Recorder  114  combines the received PA audio signal with the same timecode signal that is being wirelessly transmitted to cameras  112  to thereby produce PA data that can then readily be synchronized with camera data from cameras  112 . 
     In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, recorder  114  may be coupled to computer  118  in any effective manner. For example, recorder  114  may be efficiently coupled to computer  118  through a single cable connection that supports bi-directional communication by using any effective protocols or techniques. Computer  118  may be implemented in any appropriate manner to control and otherwise interact with recorder  114 . For example, computer  118  may include appropriate editing software that allows computer  118  to efficiently perform various appropriate non-linear editing procedures on the camera data and the PA data stored in recorder  114  without transferring the camera data or the PA data to computer  118 . The implementation and utilization of the  FIG. 1  recording system  110  is further discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 2-9 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram for one embodiment of the  FIG. 1  recorder  114  is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, recorder  114  may include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU)  212 , a transceiver  214 , a display  216 , a recorder memory  218 , a timecode generator  220 , and input/output interfaces (I/O interfaces)  222 . Selected ones of the foregoing components of recorder  114  may be coupled to, and communicate through, a recorder bus  228 . In alternate embodiments, recorder  114  may be implemented using components and configurations in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components and configurations discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 2  embodiment. 
     In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, CPU  212  may be implemented to include any appropriate and compatible microprocessor device that executes software instructions to thereby control and manage the operation of recorder  114 . In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, transceiver  214  may include any effective means to support bi-directional wireless communications between recorder  114  and cameras  112  or other electronic devices. For example, transceiver  214  may provide multiple transmission and reception channels to concurrently communicate with a plurality of external wireless devices. 
     In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, display  216  may include any effective means for presenting visual information to a system user. For example, display  216  may include various status indicators that provide information regarding the operation of recorder  114  or other appropriate entities. In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, recorder memory  218  may be implemented to include any combination of desired storage devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and various types of non-volatile memory, such as floppy disks, flash memory, or hard disks. The contents and functionality of memory  218  are further discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, timecode generator  220  may be implemented to generate one or more synchronization signals according to any known or enhanced protocols or formats. For example, timecode generator  220  may produce timecode in either digital or analog formats to indicate a chronological sequence of time indications of any appropriate increments. 
     In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, I/O interfaces  222  may include one or more input and/or output interfaces to receive and/or transmit any required types of information for recorder  114 . For example, in the  FIG. 2  embodiment, recorder  114  may utilize I/O interfaces  222  to bi-directionally communicate with other external devices in recording system  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Furthermore, a system user may utilize I/O interfaces  222  to communicate with recorder  114  by utilizing any appropriate and effective techniques. For example, a system user may utilize a remote control device or a keyboard to communicate with recorder  114  through I/O interfaces  222 . Additional details regarding the implementation of recorder  114  are discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 3-4 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram for one embodiment of the  FIG. 2  recorder memory  218  is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, memory  218  includes, but is not limited to, a recorder application  312 , a security manager  316 , camera data  318 , PA data  320 , a communication manager  322 , edited data  324 , and miscellaneous storage  328 . In alternate embodiments, recorder memory  218  may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 3  embodiment. 
     In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, recorder application  312  may include program instructions that are preferably executed by CPU  212  ( FIG. 2 ) to perform various functions and operations for recorder  114 . The particular nature and functionality of recorder application  312  may vary depending upon factors such as the specific type and particular functionality of the corresponding recorder  114 . 
     In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, recorder  114  utilizes security manager  316  to create secure lines of wireless communication between recorder  114  and cameras  112  in any effective manner. For example, cameras  112  may transmit unique security identifiers with the transmitted camera data, and security manager  316  may then only accept and store wireless transmission for which an appropriate security identifier is detected. 
     In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, camera data  318  may include any appropriate information or data transmitted by cameras  112  to recorder  114 . For example, camera data  318  may typically include video information, audio information, and timecode information. Additional details regarding camera data  318  are further discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 4 . In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, PA data  320  may include any appropriate information or data accessed by recorder  114  from PA  116  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, PA data  320  may typically include audio information and timecode information. 
     In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, recorder  114  may utilize communication manager  322  to bi-directionally communicate with various external devices. For example, in certain embodiments, communication manager  322  may communicate with one or more cameras  112  to support a remote recorder control procedure during which camera users can remotely control various appropriate functions of recorder  114 . During the remote recorder control procedure, communication manager  322  may provide various status indication signals to a controlling camera  112 . The controlling camera  112  may display corresponding information in a viewfinder. A camera user may then cause the controlling camera  112  to transmit any desired control signals to thus remotely manage the operation of recorder  114 . 
     In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, a computer  118  or other appropriate electronic device may access camera data  318  and PA data  320  for performing an editing procedure directly on recorder  114  to produce edited data  324 , as discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . Miscellaneous storage  328  may include any additional desired information, software, or data. In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, the present invention is disclosed and discussed as being implemented primarily as software. However, in alternate embodiments, some or all of the functions of the present invention may be performed by appropriate electronic hardware circuits that are configured for performing various functions that are equivalent to those functions of the software modules discussed herein. The utilization of recorder memory  218  is further discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 9A-C . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a block diagram of the  FIG. 3  camera data  318  is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In alternate embodiments, camera data  318  may be implemented using components and configurations in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components and configurations discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 4  embodiment. 
     In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, camera data  318  includes discrete sets of individual camera data  318  from respective cameras  112  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, in the  FIG. 4  embodiment, camera data  318  includes camera  1  data  318 ( a ) from camera  112 ( a ) through camera N data  318 ( c ) from camera N  112 ( c ). Any desired number of cameras  112  are contemplated for use in recording system  110 . In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, each set of camera data  318  may include any appropriate information or data transmitted by a corresponding camera  112  to recorder  114 . For example, each set of camera data  318  may typically include video information, audio information, and timecode information, as discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a block diagram for one embodiment of a camera  112  is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the  FIG. 5  embodiment, camera  112  is implemented as a video camera that may include, but is not limited to, a capture subsystem  514 , a system bus  516 , and a control module  518 . In the  FIG. 5  embodiment, capture subsystem  514  may be optically coupled to a photographic target  512 , and may also be electrically coupled via system bus  516  to control module  518 . 
     In alternate embodiments, camera  112  may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 5  embodiment. In addition, in certain embodiments, the present invention may alternately be practiced with any appropriate type of electronic device other than the camera  112  of  FIG. 5 . For example, camera  112  may alternately be implemented as an imaging device, a cellular telephone, a computer device, or a consumer electronics device. 
     In the  FIG. 5  embodiment, once a system user has focused capture subsystem  514  on target  512  and requested camera  112  to capture image data corresponding to target  512 , then control module  518  may instruct capture subsystem  514  via system bus  516  to capture image data representing target  512 . The captured image data may then be transferred over system bus  516  to control module  518 , which may responsively perform various processes and functions with the image data. System bus  516  may also bi-directionally pass various status and control signals between capture subsystem  514  and control module  518 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a block diagram for one embodiment of the  FIG. 5  capture subsystem  514  is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the  FIG. 6  embodiment, capture subsystem  514  comprises, but is not limited to, a shutter  618 , a lens unit  620 , an image sensor  624 , red, green, and blue (R/G/B) amplifiers  628 , an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  630 , and an interface  632 . In alternate embodiments, capture subsystem  514  may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain those components discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 6  embodiment. 
     In the  FIG. 6  embodiment, capture subsystem  514  captures image data corresponding to target  512  via reflected light impacting image sensor  624  along optical path  636 . Image sensor  624 , which may include a charged-coupled device (CCD), may responsively generate a set of image data representing the target  512 . The image data may then be routed through red, green, and blue amplifiers  628 , A/D converter  630 , and interface  632 . From interface  632 , the image data passes over system bus  516  to control module  518  for appropriate processing and storage. Other types of image capture sensors, such as CMOS or linear arrays are also contemplated for capturing image data in conjunction with the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a block diagram for one embodiment of the  FIG. 5  control module  518  is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the  FIG. 7  embodiment, control module  518  includes, but is not limited to, a viewfinder  708 , a central processing unit (CPU)  744 , a memory  746 , one or more input/output interface(s) (I/O)  748 , and a transceiver  750 . Viewfinder  708 , CPU  744 , memory  746 , I/O  748 , and transceiver  750  are each coupled to, and communicate, via common system bus  516  that also communicates with capture subsystem  514 . In alternate embodiments, control module  518  may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 7  embodiment. 
     In the  FIG. 7  embodiment, CPU  744  may be implemented to include any appropriate microprocessor device. Alternately, CPU  744  may be implemented using any other appropriate technology. For example, CPU  744  may be implemented to include certain application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other appropriate electronic devices. Camera memory  746  may be implemented as one or more appropriate storage devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory, random-access memory, and various types of non-volatile memory, such as floppy disc devices, hard disc devices, or flash memory. I/O  748  may provide one or more effective interfaces for facilitating bi-directional communications between camera  112  and any external entity, including a system user or another electronic device. I/O  748  may be implemented using any appropriate input and/or output devices. The operation and utilization of control module  518  are further discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a block diagram for one embodiment of the  FIG. 7  camera memory  746  is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the  FIG. 8  embodiment, memory  746  may include, but is not limited to, a camera application  812 , an operating system  814 , a timecode manager  816 , a security module  818 , camera data  820 , a communication module  822 , and miscellaneous  824 . In alternate embodiments, memory  746  may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 8  embodiment. 
     In the  FIG. 8  embodiment, camera application  812  may include program instructions that are executed by CPU  744  ( FIG. 7 ) to perform various functions and operations for camera  112 . The particular nature and functionality of camera application  812  varies depending upon factors such as the type and particular use of the corresponding camera device  112 . In the  FIG. 8  embodiment, operating system  814  controls and coordinates low-level functionality of camera device  112 . 
     In the  FIG. 8  embodiment, camera  112  may utilize timecode manager  816  for receiving a global synchronization signal (such as known or enhanced timecode) from recorder  114 , as discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . Timecode manager  816  may then advantageously combine the received timecode with video data and audio data captured by camera  112  to thereby produce final camera data  820  for transmission to recorder  114 . This embedded timecode significantly facilitates any subsequent editing procedures by allowing the camera data from the various cameras to be easily synchronized. 
     In the  FIG. 8  embodiment, camera  112  utilizes security module  818  to help create secure lines of wireless communication between recorder  114  and camera  112  in any effective manner. For example, security module  818  may transmit a security identifier with the transmitted camera data  820  for detection by recorder  114 , as discuss above in conjunction with  FIG. 3 . 
     In the  FIG. 8  embodiment, camera  112  may utilize communication module  822  to bi-directionally communicate with recorder  114  for any appropriate purposes. For example, in certain embodiments, communication module  822  may communicate with recorder  114  to support a remote recorder control procedure during which a camera user can remotely control various appropriate functions of recorder  114 . During the remote recorder control procedure, communication module  822  may receive various status indication signals from recorder  114 . Camera  112  may display corresponding information in a viewfinder  708 . The camera user may then cause camera  112  to transmit any desired control signals to thus remotely manage the operation of recorder  114 . Miscellaneous storage  824  may include any additional desired information, software, or data. Additional detail regarding the utilization of camera memory  746  are further discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 9A-C . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-C , a flowchart of method steps for effectively utilizing a recording system  110  is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The  FIG. 9  example is presented for purposes of illustration, and in alternate embodiments, the present invention may utilize various steps and sequences other than those discussed in conjunction with the  FIG. 9  embodiment. 
     In the  FIG. 9A  embodiment, in step  912 , a recorder  114  in a recording system  110  ( FIG. 1 ) initially utilizes a timecode generator  220  to begin generating a timecode signal in any effective manner. After step  912 , the  FIG. 9A  flowchart branches off to step  928  of  FIG. 9B  through connecting letter “A.” In addition, in step  914  of  FIG. 9A , the recorder  114  utilizes a security manager  316  to establish secure wireless connections to a plurality of different cameras  112  according to any effective techniques or protocols. 
     In step  916 , the recorder  114  utilizes a transceiver  214  to wirelessly transmit the generated timecode signal to the different respective cameras  112 . In step  918 , the various cameras  112  capture appropriate video data and corresponding audio data. In step  920 , the cameras  112  utilize respective timecode managers  816  to insert the received timecode into the captured camera data  820  (video data and audio data). 
     In step  924 , the cameras  112  then utilize respective transceivers  750  to transmit the camera data  820  to the recorder  114 . In step  926 , the recorder  114  receives the camera data  820  from the various cameras  112 , and then locally stores the received camera data in the recorder memory  218 . The  FIG. 9A  process then advances to step  938  of the  FIG. 9C  flowchart through connecting letter “B.” 
     In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the process described below in conjunction with the  FIG. 9B  flowchart may typically occur concurrently with the process described above in conjunction with the  FIG. 9A  flowchart. In step  928  of the  FIG. 9B  embodiment, a connection is provided between the recorder  114  and a public address system (PA)  116  in any effective manner. In step  932 , a recorder application  312  accesses the timecode that is being generated by the timecode generator  220  of the recorder  114 . 
     In step  932 , the recorder  114  receives a PA audio signal from the PA  116 . In step  934 , the recorder application  312  combines the PA audio signal with the timecode signal to produce PA data  320 . In step  936 , the recorder application  312  locally stores the PA data  320  in the recorder memory  218 . The  FIG. 9B  process then advances to step  938  of the  FIG. 9C  flowchart through connecting letter “B.” 
     In step  938  of the  FIG. 9C  embodiment, a connection is provided between the recorder  114  and a computer  118  in any effective manner. In step  940 , the computer  118  initiates bi-directional communications with the recorder  114  according to any appropriate protocols or techniques. In step  942 , an editing program of the computer  118  gains access to the camera data  318  and the PA data  320  that is stored in the recorder memory  218 . 
     In step  944 , the editing program of the computer  118  remotely controls an editing procedure performed upon the camera data  318  and the PA data  320  while it remains stored in the recorder memory  218  to thereby produce edited data  324 . Finally, in step  946 , the recorder application  312  stores the edited data  324  locally in recorder memory  218 . The present invention thus provides an improved system and methodology for effectively utilizing a recorder device. 
     The invention has been explained above with reference to certain embodiments. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. For example, the present invention may readily be implemented using configurations and techniques other than those described in the embodiments above. Additionally, the present invention may effectively be used in conjunction with systems other than those described above. Therefore, these and other variations upon the discussed embodiments are intended to be covered by the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.