Self-contained wireless camera device, wireless camera system and method

A wireless camera system comprising:

• a self-contained wireless camera device comprising:
• a camera;
• video compression circuitry coupled to the camera, receiving video signals from the camera and providing compressed video signals from the camera;
• a radio transmitter coupled to the video compression circuitry for transmission of the compressed video signals from the camera;
• control command generation circuitry, coupled to the radio transmitter, generating control commands to be sent to a base station device for control of transmission of compressed video signals from the base station;
• a radio receiver for receipt of compressed video signals from the base station;
• video decompression circuitry coupled to the radio receiver, receiving the compressed video signals from the base station and providing decompressed video signals;
• and
• a display selectively coupled to the camera and the video decompression circuitry, selectively displaying images from the camera and images represented by the decompressed video signals
• and a base station device comprising:
• a radio receiver receiving the compressed video signals from the camera;
• a storage device for storing signals derived from the compressed video signals from the camera;
• a transmitter coupled to the storage device for retransmitting the compressed video signals from the camera as compressed second video signals;
• and
• control command signal receive circuitry responsive to the control commands from the camera device to control retrieval of the signals derived from the compressed video signals stored in the storage device and retransmission of the compressed second video signals.

A wireless camera system comprising:

• a first wireless camera device comprising:
• a camera;
• video compression circuitry coupled to the camera, receiving video signals from the camera and providing compressed video signals from the camera;
• a radio transmitter coupled to the video compression circuitry for transmission of the compressed video signals from the camera;
• a radio receiver for receipt of command signals, wherein the video compression circuitry is responsive to receipt of a first control command by the radio receiver to modify operation of the video compression circuitry;
• and a base station device comprising:
• a user selection input;
• control circuitry coupled to the user selection input, the control circuitry for receiving a second control command from the user selection input seeking service for a second wireless camera device;
• and
• a transmitter, coupled to the control circuitry, for transmitting to the first wireless camera device the first control command, thereby causing the first wireless camera device to adjust its operation to accommodate the second wireless camera device.

A method of operation of a self-contained wireless camera device comprising:

• receiving video signals from a camera;
• selecting a compression protocol scheme;
• providing compressed first video signals processed according to the selected compression protocol scheme;
• transmitting the compressed first video signals over a shared radio channel;
• generating control commands and transmitting the control commands to a base station device for control of transmission of compressed second video signals;
• receiving compressed second video signals from the shared radio channel and providing decompressed video signals;
• and
• selectively displaying images from the camera and images represented by the decompressed video signals.

A method of operation of a wireless camera system having a self-contained wireless camera device and a base station device, the method comprising, at the wireless camera device:

• receiving video signals from a camera and providing compressed first video signals;
• transmitting the compressed first video signals over a shared radio channel;
• generating control commands and sending the control commands to the base station device;
• receiving compressed second video signals at a radio receiver;
• decompressing the compressed second video signals and providing decompressed second video signals;
• and
• selectively displaying images from the camera and images represented by the decompressed second video signals
• and at the base station device:
• receiving the compressed first video signals from the radio channel;
• receiving the control commands;
• controlling retrieval of signals derived from the compressed first video signals in response to the control commands;
• storing signals derived from the compressed first video signals;
• and
• retransmitting the compressed first video signals as compressed second video signals.

A method of operation of a wireless camera system having a first wireless camera device and a base station device, comprising, at the first wireless camera device:

• processing video signals from a camera to provide compressed first video signals;
• transmitting the compressed first video signals;
• receiving control commands;
• modifying the processing of the video signals in response to a first control command received,
• and at the base station device:
• receiving a second control command, in response to a user selection input, seeking service for a second wireless camera device;
• and
• transmitting to the first wireless camera device the first control command, thereby causing the first wireless camera device to adjust its operation to accommodate the second wireless camera device.