Abstract: The present specification provides hands-free, mobile, real-time video cameras that overcome the shortcomings of previous designs. Cameras described in the present specification may be light-weight and small enough to be mounted anywhere, especially on a user's body. Cameras described in the present specification may be also cost-effective and rugged enough for use during very strenuous and/or high contact activities. Yet, even with a very small and durable form-factor, cameras described in the present specification offer full-motion, enhanced, and/or high-definition video capture over an extended period of time. The combination of diminutive size, low-power consumption, and high resolution has been heretofore unavailable in the art. Moreover, cameras described in the present specification may be seamlessly compatible with various software applications and platform independent.

Abstract: A camera unit is mountable to a helmet. The camera unit includes a single-chip image sensor, such as a color complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and includes an attaching unit that is structured to allow the camera unit to be attached to an existing structure of the helmet, such as to a face mask of a helmet. The camera unit further includes a transmit unit to allow transmission of a signal representative of captured images and a receive unit to receive control signals to control parameters associated with the camera unit. The control signals can be sent from a remote unit, thereby allowing the remote unit to control parameters of the camera unit, such as exposure, gain, white balance, color saturation, brightness, or hue. The camera unit can be of a small size and weight, and can be completely integrated on a single-chip, thereby minimizing intrusiveness to the helmet wearer.

Abstract: A camera unit is mountable to a cap. The camera unit includes a single-chip image sensor, such as a color complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and includes a mounting mechanism that is structured to allow the camera unit to be attached to an existing structure of the cap, such as to a brim of a baseball cap. The camera unit further includes a transmit unit to allow transmission of a signal representative of captured images and a receive unit to receive control signals to control parameters associated with the camera unit. The control signals can be sent from a remote unit, thereby allowing the remote unit to control parameters of the camera unit, such as exposure, gain, white balance, color saturation, brightness, or hue. The camera unit can be of a small size and weight, and can be completely integrated on a single-chip, thereby minimizing intrusiveness to the cap wearer.