System and method of high-resolution digital data image transmission

A system for receiving a combined data transmission of video stream packets and image data packets associated with a still image sent from an aircraft, the system comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a multiplexed data transmission including video stream packets and image data packets;
• a demultiplexer coupled to the receiver, the demultiplexer to separate the video stream packets and the image data packets;
• a video decoder coupled to the demultiplexer to assemble the video packets to produce a video stream;
• a combiner coupled to the demultiplexer to combine the image data packets to form a still image;
• an aircraft including a digital video camera to capture a still image and video frames of an object;
• a video encoder coupled to the camera to provide a video output including video packets;
• a file server coupled to the camera to provide an still image output including image data packets;
• a multiplexer coupled to the video output and the still image output, the multiplexer producing the data transmission including the video packets and the image data packets;
• and
• a transmitter to send the data transmission to the remote location,
• wherein the still image is one of a plurality of still images captured by the camera, the image data packets including an identifier field identifying the still image associated with the image data packet.

A method of transmitting a still image in a video data transmission, the method comprising:

• capturing a still image via a camera;
• capturing a video stream via the camera;
• converting the still image into a plurality of image data packets;
• converting the video stream into a plurality of video image packets;
• combining the image data packets and video image packets into a data transmission;
• sending the combined transmission to a remote receiver;
• receiving the combined transmission on the remote receiver;
• demultiplexing the combined transmission into the plurality of image data packets and video image packets;
• decoding the video image packets into a video stream;
• and
• combining the image data packets into the digital image;
• wherein the still image is one of a plurality of still images captured by the camera, the image data packets including an identifier field identifying the still image associated with the image data packet.