WO2002035418A1

WO2002035418A1 - Cam-to-web: global player album

Info

Publication number: WO2002035418A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2001/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Avison
Original assignee: Peter Avison
Priority date: 2000-10-28
Filing date: 2001-03-06
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: AU2001244883A1

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for capturing audio-visual information and transmitting said information to a website. The apparatus records audio-visual information after activation by an electronic key (for example a magnetic stripe card, smart card, finger print recognition). The audio-visual information is then transmitted (by cable or wirelessly) to a serer and ultimately a website. Users then gain access to the audio-visual information (which has been indexed into a 'video album') through the aforementioned website.

Description

TRANSMISSION

Complete Specification

Refer attached sheets for a process overview and technical architecture which gives a context for how the invention is to be used.

WEB BASED VIDEO TRANSMISSION

Process Overview

A) Person registers to have access to web-cam facility.

Registration involves: 1) receiving an electronic key used to trigger the video cameras . This key could be encoded into a magnetic stripe card or involve another version of smart card. A smart card version could involve a "pre-paid" concept where the user has a predetermined number of hours or uses of the web-cam unit.

2) providing personal details e.g. name and address details for input into database to be indexed to the database of video images.

3) the option to utilise a security feature which enables the user to make his/her video images only accessible by them at a later time

B) Person inputs electronic key into web-cam ( by processes such as keypad, mag stripe, smart card, radio frequency, finger print recognition etc ). This activity occurs just before the person has a tee-shot.

This results in:

1) web cam recording (pre-programmed to record for a maximum period )

2) images being stored in the camera unit and uploaded to a main server at a later time

The video camera is triggered ( for starting and stopping ) by the registered user or any other person in close proximity

C) Images are accessed from a Website and, as an option, downloaded to the users PC:

Images can be accessed by various references e.g. by name, location or time, by electronic key ( if the secure access option is originally chosen)

Motion analysis software can then be used to:

- compare body in motion with a "model" or desirable movement

- compare movements from different video clips

The above software can also be downloaded by the user. There is also the option to use software provided to store and catalogue the images on the user's PC FUNCTIONALITY OF WEB-CAM

- to capture and store audio visual images

- The database for user verification and image storage is situated in a computer within the camera unit. The electronic key verifies that the person is a valid user of the camera unit at that particular time

- suitable for all weather conditions

- able to be turned 90 degrees

- able to focus on a Figure at-least 20 metres away

- able to be relocated and stored away ( e.g. over night in a secure area ) if necessary

- the ability to perform wireless transmission of audio visual data to Server which then downloads to the GNA website overnight ( as an initial step, tapes could be downloaded to a PC and then transmitted to the website ) or data can be transferred via power lines.

- the ability to run independently of mains power for up to 12 hours at a time ( desirable but not essential at this stage as some courses have reasonably good access to mains power ).

2. Hard ware

The Global Player System consists of three distinct components. The central server, course server and capture stations. The central server ultimately stores all information, having had daily updates uploaded from the course servers. The capture stations send captured swings to the course servers as they are made.

2.1. Capture Stations

The capture stations are little more than standard PC's with capture cards and cameras (or USB camera's), networked to the course server. Multiple capture stations may exist on each course and each will provide a way of accepting capture requests initiated by the course server. The request will be in the form of smart card, magnetic swipe card or dynamically printed bar code card. Once a request is received and authenticated, it will trigger the video camera to start capturing. Large start, stop and cancel buttons will be present in the stations casing to control the finer aspects of the capture. Each capture is stored locally on the station until accepted by the player. It is then sent directly to the course server to await nightly upload to the central server. Typical specs for the capture stations are:

• Pentium 166+

• 32MB+ RAM

• 6GB+ Hard drive

• Video capture capability

• Ethernet connection to server - possibly wireless

• Smart card, magnetic stripe card or barcode reader

2.2. Course Server

Only one server is required per golf course, and must be able to contact each capture station. It will hold the following responsibilities:

• Housing a database of players

• Issuing new capture requests

• Receiving captured swings from the stations

• Automatically uploading all new player information and swings to the central server, nightly

As many golf courses may already contain office PC's, an existing PC may be used as the course server so long as the following minimum recommended spec is met

• Pentium 200+

• 64MB+ RAM

• 28GB+ Hard drive

• Ethernet connection to capture stations - possibly wireless

• High speed internet connection for upload to the central server. This would typically be one of the following: Cable, ADSL, ISDN, Frame Relay or other dedicated connection.

Essentially, it will be required to handle day to day running of the course office (where necessary) as well as the functions of the Global Player Album system. The server will be expected to upload updated information to the central server on a nightly basis, and retain a days data as a backup.

The server will also be equipped with a way to issue capture requests for the stations. The requirements of such will depend on the mechanism chosen. One of the following are planned: Smart card

Smart cards could be used to store a player's minimal details including ID, and capture requests. These would either be permanently retained by the player, or returned to the office for use by the next player. This is the expensive option, as it would also require a smart card reader on each capture station.

Magnetic Stripe Card

Magnetic stripe cards could be preset with numbers which would map to a customers

ID when a swing capture is requested by a player. When swiped through the capture station, the card's number would be dynamically checked against the database in the course server. A magnetic stripe card reader will be required for each capture station.

This is the currently preferred option.

Barcode

Barcodes could be printed on demand in the office onto standard business card sized slips. These would typically contain the customer ID and other minor details to indicate that a capture has been requested. This would generally work in the same way as magnetic stripe cards.

2.3. Central Server

The central server has yet to be decided on, since we have little idea of its expected usage. However, the hardware will be fully scalable (either through hardware upgrades or cluster technology) and the software will be designed and written so that it is capable of running on a variety of platforms from NT to Unix. It is envisioned that a Windows NT system initially be implemented. The server 'system' will house the following:

Central Database

The database will store all player information, captured swings, and course details.

Web Server

The web server will house the Global Player Album's web site, providing access for players to the database.

Processing Applications

Applications required to provide the web server with information from the database and update the database with information from the course servers. They will also provide the ability to produce reports on usage statistics etc.

It is envisioned that the central server be controlled by a third party, typically either an ISP, or IT solution provider. It must capable of providing a 24x7 service, and therefore full fail- safes and contingency plans must be in place.

Claims

Claim 1 ( re: patent application number 336927 ):

What I claim is:

A system for recording and transferring audio-visual images including: a video camera which, when activated/triggered by a magnetic stripe card, smart card, barcode or similar "key", results in audio-visual images being taken and stored in a database with said images then being transmitted by cable, radio frequency or wirelessly to a Server and eventually a website.