US 10,382,663 B1Granted

Remote video system

OwnerDavid Morfordinventor

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for a remote video system. In some embodiments, a camera device may include a processor configured to capture image and audio content, perform data manipulation to alter the content, and stream the content to a remote server. Camera devices may be set up at a particular venue or location, and may have settings selected by a venue administrator. Camera devices may also be configured for head recognition, for determining activity levels in a venue, and for reporting accumulated data to the remote server. Streamed content may be accessed by users over a network via an application on computing devices, such as mobile applications or web browsers. The application may provide promotional materials to users based on the user's location, the activity levels within the venue, or other information. Users may also be able to establish direct stream connections to customer service or other venue personnel.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device comprising:

a processor configured to receive video data from a camera, the processor further configured to:
when a current time is within a valid time frame, capture the video data based on capture settings including:
receive near real-time image data from the camera;
graphically modify the near real-time image data to generate modified near real-time image data, including:
perform image analysis to detect one or more humans in the near real-time image data;
graphically modify the near real-time image data by obscuring at least a part of a visual image of a detected human in the near real-time image data;
provide the modified near real-time image data as a streaming video;
when the current time is not within the valid time frame, remain in a standby mode and periodically monitor the current time and not permit the device to transmit the modified near real-time image data when the current time is not within the valid time frame;
a server configured to:
receive the streaming video of the modified near real-time image data;
store the streaming video to memory;
upon request of a user, provide a first portion of the streaming video to a remote viewing device of the user, the first portion including a first amount of the streaming video for a limited duration that is relatively short compared to the valid time frame, thereby allowing the user to view near real-time video;
disable access of the remote viewing device to the streaming video for a time-out period following delivery of the first portion to the remote viewing device, where during the time-out period, the user cannot view any portion of the streaming video;
and
re-enable access to the streaming video for the remote viewing device after the time-out period has elapsed.

12 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a network interface;
a processor coupled to the network interface and configured to:
maintain camera settings for operation of a remote camera device;
receive, via the network interface, streaming video pushed from the remote camera device as near real-time video including image data of a human;
upon request of a user, provide a first portion of the near real-time video to a remote viewing device, the first portion including a first amount of a video having a limited duration that is relatively short compared to a length of the streaming video;
disable access of the remote viewing device to the near real-time video for a pre-defined period of time following delivery of the first portion, where during the period of time, the user cannot view the streaming video;
automatically re-enable access to allow the user to view the streaming video at the remote viewing device after the pre-defined period of time has elapsed;
receive data on an activity level of a venue the remote camera device is associated with;
compare the activity level to a threshold;
and
provide promotions to the remote viewing device when the activity level is below the threshold.

8 more elements

A memory device including instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method including:

receive streaming video data from a remote video camera located at a venue, the streaming data including near real-time video;
graphically modify the near real-time image data to generate modified near real-time image data, including:
perform image analysis to detect one or more humans in the near real-time image data;
graphically modify the near real-time image data by obscuring at least a part of a visual image of a detected human in the near real-time image data;
when a current time is within a valid time frame, provide the modified near real-time image data as a streaming video;
when the current time is not within the valid time frame, not provide the modified near real-time image data;
upon request of a user, provide a first portion of the streaming video data to a remote viewing device, the first portion including a first amount of a video having a limited duration that is relatively short compared to a total time period of the streaming video data;
disable access of the remote viewing device to the streaming video data for a pre-defined period of time following delivery of the first portion, where during the period of time, the user cannot access the streaming video data;
and
automatically re-enable access to the streaming video at the remote viewing device after the pre-defined period of time has elapsed.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/707,928Filed 18 Sep 2017 · continuation
Priority: 25 Sep 2013
Granted: 13 Aug 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H04N 23/661
Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices: transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via…
H04N 23/611
Based on recognised objects: where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
H04N 23/617
Control of cameras or camera modules: upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control
H04N 23/62
Control of cameras or camera modules: control of parameters via user interfaces

Family

Application61/882,424Us provisional application · filed 25 Sep 2013
Application61/902,146Us provisional application · filed 8 Nov 2013
Application14/497,311Parent of this continuation · filed 25 Sep 2014
US 9,769,368 B1Parent of this continuation
US 10,382,663 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.