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Multifunction remote control system for audio and video recording, capture, transmission and playback of full motion and still images

Multifunction remote control system for audio and video recording, capture, transmission and playback of full motion and still images description/claims

The invention is a continuation of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/143,232, filed Aug. 28, 1998 “Multifunction Remote Control System for Audio Recording, Capture, Transmission and Playback of Full Motion and Still Images,” and is assigned to the Assignee of the co-pending application. The invention is generally related to audio and video recording and playback systems for aircraft and is specifically directed to a single, multifunction control unit for recording, transmission and playback of both audio and video signals.

Recording systems have been used on board aircraft for many years. In the military, many aircraft such as, by way of example, the U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat, have included recorders that permit the pilot to selectively record video images by activating the recorder. These systems also permit the images to be played back for viewing in a cockpit monitor by the pilot while in flight or selectively, permit transmission of the images to a ship or ground station. The images are typically input from a video sensing device located in the aircraft and also controlled by the pilot.

Over the last several years a need has developed for better image recording, capture, playback and transmission techniques on board these aircraft. The current systems, such as, by way of example, the TEAC V1000 Video Tape Recorders (VTRs), only permit twenty minute or less recording capability and must be scrolled in order to find specific images in the recording. Further, if a specific image is to be displayed as a still frame on the cockpit monitor, the recorder is stopped and live images cannot be recorded by the video during this interruption.

It is also desirable that the recording system be expanded to include cockpit audio, telemetry signals, GPS (Global Positioning System) signals and other data signals available for monitoring the performance of the aircraft and for increasing the amount of information associated with the video signals.

The multifunction remote control system of the subject invention is specifically directed to an enhanced video recording, transmission and playback system for aircraft. The system is capable of not only recording, transmitting and playing back video images but is also adapted for recording, transmitting and playing back audio, telemetry, GPS and other data signal in synchronization with the video signal. One important unique feature of the invention is the incorporation of a single, multifunction remote control unit for controlling all the recording, capture, transmission and playback functions at the fingertips of the pilot.

The system of the subject invention utilizes a digital image capture system capable of operating as a recorder and playback unit as well as a transmission system for transmitting full motion, selected still frame and combined full motion and still frame video images to an on board monitor or to a ship or shore station. One of the important features of the invention is the capability to capture and transmit a still image on the fly while the recorder is still functioning. This is made possible by incorporating a digital image capture device that receives and captures the images being entered on the recording medium without interfering with the recording function. This also allows for better quality still images by permitting the capture and transmission of a full frame video image instead of the partial frame, single field still images of the prior art.

In operation, the recorder may be paused in typical fashion in order to view a single frame. As with prior art systems, this will pause the recording function and the single still frame be a typical analog frame with a partial field image, often including the typical tearing which is a standard paused playback artifact. However, if the specific image is desired to be captured and transmitted, the operator (or pilot) will select the capture mode and the system will back up a preselected number of frames and then forward through the selected still in order to digitally capture the selected image as a full frame image. This eliminates the fuzzy quality of single field images and eliminates the tearing, as well, resulting in a more reliable, sharper image for monitoring on site or for transmission to a remote location.

The system also permits on the fly capture of still frames without interrupting the recording cycle. In both the record and pause modes and the record and capture mode, the resulting captured signal is a sharp, full field (or full resolution) signal with a minimum of noise.

Another important feature of the invention is the capability for “marking” the recorded medium for later selecting, and capturing selected stills. During the recording mode, this marking function permits selection for later seek and capture either during later playback after completion of a mission, or during the mission directly in the cockpit, using the cockpit monitor. When the media is in the playback mode, the “marked” stills may be either automatically captured and stored and/or transmitted as full frame digital stills, or the system may be used to manually scroll through the recording one-by-one or automatically scroll through all of the selected, marked stills for sequential viewing/and or transmission. This capability is particularly useful for verification of visual data, such as, by way of example, the visual verification of a target by a ship or shore station.

Another important feature of the invention is the automatic “reset” feature, where the beginning of each mission is marked on the recording medium and the counter point is noted or reset to zero. This permits ready identification of the beginning and end of each mission and permits the operator or pilot to automatically return to the beginning of each mission to review the recorded images and data without searching for the start point.

The digital capture capability of the subject invention permits continuous real time recording of video and other data while simultaneously permitting the pilot or other operator to select a “freeze” frame, permitting close analysis of a specific view without interrupting the recording process. The recorder/playback systems of the prior art require interruption of the recording process during a freeze-frame or pause mode. One important aspect of this feature is the ability to not only view the select “freeze” frame, but also to capture, store and/or transmit the frame to a remote station.

The versatility of the system of the subject invention permits transmission of the full motion image both in real time, or as a played back recording, as well as still frames of selected images and burst modes. The burst mode is a selection of sequential still images over a selected time frame. For example, assuming a target is identified and destroyed, it may be desirable to select a sequential series of still images at specific timed intervals, e.g. every one-fourth of a second, for five seconds before and twenty seconds after destruction, while at the same time simultaneously recording the full image on tape without interruption. The burst mode is more fully described in my co-pending application entitled: Video and Data Capture and Retrieval Surveillance System for Aircraft, Ser. No. 08/729,139, filed on Oct. 11, 1996; Acoustic Catastrophic Detection and Data Capture and Retrieval System for Aircraft; Ser. No. 08/738,487, filed on Oct. 28, 19961 and Wireless Transducer Data Capture and Retrieval System for Aircraft, Ser. No. 08/745,536, filed on Nov. 12, 1996 and incorporated by reference herein.

One advantage of the system of the present invention is the capability for recording not only video signals but also cockpit audio and telemetry, GPS and other data signal as well, in a real time, synchronized relationship with the video image. The data signals are displayed in alphanumeric symbols with the video image in both the full motion and still frame mode. The audio portion is recorded for playback and transmission in the full motion mode. The data signals can be used as part of the marking function. For example, specific still frame images could be selected based on GPS data for capture and storage, as well as for transmission.

One of the most significant advantages of the subject invention is the inclusion of all the functional and operating controls in a single remote control unit easily accessed by the pilot in the cockpit. This permits easy access and control of the system during flight, permitting full use of the multifunction capability of the system. In the preferred embodiment, Phototelesis ATR-403WB and RCU-403 capture and transmission modules are combined with a TEAC HI 8 V80 VTR recorder/playback unit. This can be activated during both the recording mode and the playback mode. These components are combined and programmed with the novel features of the subject invention to provide the versatile, multifunction system. The single, multifunction remote control unit is then utilized to not only control the recorder record and pause and playback function but also to control the select, capture and transmit functions of the processor.

It is, therefore, an object and feature of the subject invention to provide for a versatile, accessible, multifunction recording and playback system for recording video images on board an aircraft during flight.

It is also an object and feature of the subject invention to provide for a single, multifunction control unit for controlling all recording, selection and capturing, transmission and playback functions of the system.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide for a combination video, audio and data recorder having a single remote control unit for controlling all of the functions from a single control unit.

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• Utility Patent

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