Abstract: A system for transmitting images. The system comprises a first camera having a first camera module having a first sensor configured to capture a first image, the first image including a timestamp, an SD card configured to store the first image, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, a first display configured to display the first image, a first plurality of buttons associated with the first display, and a first communication module programmed to transmit the first image through a low-power communication network. The system further includes a home node configured to be powered by a second plurality of batteries. The home node includes a second communication module programmed to receive the first image from the first communication module over the low-power communication network, a second display configured to display the first image, and a second plurality of buttons associated with the second display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a server and a system of cameras. One embodiment provides a low-power radio frequency (“RF”) network for a system of cameras. The network comprises a server configured to access information related to the system of cameras, wherein the server receives a signal indicating a user input, and a first camera of the system of camera. The first camera is configured to receive a status report from a second camera of the system of cameras, update a cache of the first camera based on the status report from the second camera of the system of cameras, and transmit the updated cache of the first camera to the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a server and a system of cameras. One embodiment provides a low-power radio frequency (“RF”) network for a system of cameras. The network comprises a server configured to access information related to the system of cameras, wherein the server receives a signal indicating a user input, and a first camera of the system of camera. The first camera is configured to receive a status report from a second camera of the system of cameras, update a cache of the first camera based on the status report from the second camera of the system of cameras, and transmit the updated cache of the first camera to the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a server and a system of cameras. One embodiment provides a low-power radio frequency (“RF”) network for a system of cameras. The network comprises a server configured to access information related to the system of cameras, wherein the server receives a signal indicating a user input, and a first camera of the system of camera. The first camera is configured to receive a status report from a second camera of the system of cameras, update a cache of the first camera based on the status report from the second camera of the system of cameras, and transmit the updated cache of the first camera to the server.

Abstract: A system for transmitting images. The system comprises a first camera having a first camera module having a first sensor configured to capture a first image, the first image including a timestamp, an SD card configured to store the first image, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, a first display configured to display the first image, a first plurality of buttons associated with the first display, and a first communication module programmed to transmit the first image through a low-power communication network. The system further includes a home node configured to be powered by a second plurality of batteries. The home node includes a second communication module programmed to receive the first image from the first communication module over the low-power communication network, a second display configured to display the first image, and a second plurality of buttons associated with the second display.

Abstract: A system of cameras operable to transmit images over a short-range network and over a wide-area network. The system comprises a first camera including a first camera module including a first sensor for capturing a first image, and a first communication module programmed to transmit the first image through the short range network. The system further comprises a second camera including a second camera module including a second sensor for capturing a second image, and a second communication module programmed to receive the first image from the first communication module over the short range network. The second communication module is further programmed to transmit the first image through the wide area network. The system can further include a third camera including a third camera module having a third sensor for capturing a third image, and a third communication module programmed to transmit the third image through the short range network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a server and a system of cameras. One embodiment provides a low-power radio frequency (“RF”) network for a system of cameras. The network comprises a server configured to access information related to the system of cameras, wherein the server receives a signal indicating a user input, and a first camera of the system of camera. The first camera is configured to receive a status report from a second camera of the system of cameras, update a cache of the first camera based on the status report from the second camera of the system of cameras, and transmit the updated cache of the first camera to the server.

Abstract: A system of cameras operable to transmit images over a short-range network and over a wide-area network. The system comprises a first camera including a first camera module including a first sensor for capturing a first image, and a first communication module programmed to transmit the first image through the short range network. The system further comprises a second camera including a second camera module including a second sensor for capturing a second image, and a second communication module programmed to receive the first image from the first communication module over the short range network. The second communication module is further programmed to transmit the first image through the wide area network. The system can further include a third camera including a third camera module having a third sensor for capturing a third image, and a third communication module programmed to transmit the third image through the short range network.

Abstract: A low-power radio frequency (“RF”) network for a system of cameras that allows for efficient transmission of images (e.g., thumbnail images) from one or more REMOTE cameras or nodes to a centralized HOME camera or node. The network includes a variety of power saving features to optimize the battery life of the REMOTE cameras while still effectively transmitting captured images through the network. The power saving features include network path optimization for message and data transmission, synchronization of the wake and sleep states for each node in the network, the transfer of images from a camera module to an RF module of a node during a sleep state, etc. The network is also configured or operable to be implemented in such a manner that nodes can be readily added or removed from the network with minimal user input and without sacrificing power savings or network message transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A low-power radio frequency (“RF”) network for a system of cameras that allows for efficient transmission of images (e.g., thumbnail images) from one or more REMOTE cameras or nodes to a centralized HOME camera or node. The network includes a variety of power saving features to optimize the battery life of the REMOTE cameras while still effectively transmitting captured images through the network. The power saving features include network path optimization for message and data transmission, synchronization of the wake and sleep states for each node in the network, the transfer of images from a camera module to an RF module of a node during a sleep state, etc. The network is also configured or operable to be implemented in such a manner that nodes can be readily added or removed from the network with minimal user input and without sacrificing power savings or network message transmission efficiency.

Abstract: This document discloses a camera assembly and a method for driving an illumination assembly of the camera assembly. The camera assembly comprises a digital camera, a power source including a battery and a super capacitor, and an illumination element powered by the power source. A first converter (e.g., a DC/DC SEPIC converter) charges the super capacitor from the battery and a second converter (e.g., a DC/DC boost converter) has a voltage input connected to the power source and a voltage output connected to the illumination element. A controller is programmed to control whether the illumination element is powered by the battery, the super capacitor, or both. The super capacitor is used to drive the illumination assembly at a high power level (e.g., when taking a still image), and the battery is used to drive the illumination assembly at a low power level (e.g., when taking a video).

Abstract: This document discloses a camera assembly and a method for driving an illumination assembly of the camera assembly. The camera assembly comprises a digital camera, a power source including a battery and a super capacitor, and an illumination element powered by the power source. A first converter (e.g., a DC/DC SEPIC converter) charges the super capacitor from the battery and a second converter (e.g., a DC/DC boost converter) has a voltage input connected to the power source and a voltage output connected to the illumination element. A controller is programmed to control whether the illumination element is powered by the battery, the super capacitor, or both. The super capacitor is used to drive the illumination assembly at a high power level (e.g., when taking a still image), and the battery is used to drive the illumination assembly at a low power level (e.g., when taking a video).