Adaptive trail cameras
OwnerJoseph F Hlatky, Steven D Thomas, Jr.inventors
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Abstract
Example techniques are disclosed for altering trail camera settings when deployed. For example, settings relating to triggering functionality, time lapse functionality, image resolution, motion sensor sensitivity, flash intensity, and other camera functions can be altered. The settings can be altered based on environmental conditions such as weather and ambient noise. The settings can also be altered based on trail camera conditions such as available battery capacity or image storage capacity. The trail camera settings can also be altered based on images obtained by the trail camera, with or without analyzing content of the images.
Claims20
A trail camera comprising:
- a lens;
- a passive infrared motion sensor;
- a flash;
- a controller;
- and
- a hardware storage device configured to store pictures or video,
- wherein the controller is configured to:
- detect conditions at the trail camera, including at least a remaining storage capacity of the hardware storage device;
- when the remaining storage capacity of the hardware storage device exceeds a specified capacity threshold, configure the passive infrared motion sensor in a first sensitivity setting where the passive infrared motion sensor triggers the controller to cause the trail camera to perform image capture;
- and
- when the remaining storage capacity of the hardware storage device falls below the specified capacity threshold, configure the passive infrared motion sensor in a second sensitivity setting that is relatively less sensitive than the first sensitivity setting, wherein the passive infrared motion sensor continues to trigger the controller to cause the trail camera to perform image capture in the second sensitivity setting.
A method of controlling a trail camera having a hardware storage device and a passive infrared motion sensor, the method comprising:
- detecting remaining storage capacity on the hardware storage device of the trail camera;
- adjusting motion sensor sensitivity of the passive infrared motion sensor based at least on the remaining storage capacity of the hardware storage device by:
- when the remaining storage capacity of the hardware storage device exceeds a specified capacity threshold, configuring the passive infrared motion sensor in a first sensitivity setting;
- and
- when the remaining storage capacity of the hardware storage device falls below the specified capacity threshold, configuring the passive infrared motion sensor in a second sensitivity setting that is relatively less sensitive than the first sensitivity setting;
- and
- when the passive infrared motion sensor is in the first sensitivity setting, performing image capture using the trail camera when triggered by the passive infrared motion sensor;
- and
- when the passive infrared motion sensor is in the second sensitivity setting, performing image capture using the trail camera when triggered by the passive infrared motion sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.