OPERATING WIRELESS DEVICES AND IMAGE DATA SYSTEMS
A location monitoring system, such as an alarm system employed at a house or other location, can include a wireless, battery-operated camera. The camera can have a low power mode in which all components other than a low power communications module are deactivated. The camera can be activated by a signal received by the low power communications module, and the camera can establish a direct communications link with, and send video image data to, a remote server. Where the camera/server direct communications link is inoperable, a link to a local controller is established, and at least a portion of the video image data sent to the controller, which can send a portion of the video image data via an alternate network.
1 . A camera comprising:
one or more components configured to be deactivated during operation of the camera in a low power mode;
a transceiver configured to receive any of a plurality of signals indicating a plurality of time periods for operation of the camera in the low power mode; and
a controller configured to
receive a signal of the plurality of signals, the signal indicating a time period of the plurality of time periods, and
exit and enter the low power mode based on the time period.
2 . The camera of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of time periods comprises a pre-determined time period and a time period coterminous with a sensed condition.
3 . The camera of claim 2 , wherein the pre-determined time period is within a range of 2 and 5 minutes.
4 . The camera of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive at least one signal of the plurality of signals from a base station.
5 . The camera of claim 4 , wherein the at least one signal indicates motion detected by a motion sensor.
6 . The camera of claim 5 , wherein the motion sensor is distinct from the base station and the camera.
7 . The camera of claim 1 , wherein the one or more components comprise a wireless transceiver.
8 . The camera of claim 7 , wherein the one or more component comprise an image sensor.
9 . A monitoring system comprising:
a base station configured to send a signal indicative of a sensed condition, the signal being further indicative of a time period, of a plurality of time periods, for operation of at least one camera in a low power mode; and
one or more cameras comprising
one or more components configured to be deactivated during operation in the low power mode; and
a controller configured to
receive, from the base station, the signal indicative of the time period, and
enter and exit the low power mode based on the time period.
10 . The monitoring system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of time periods comprises a pre-determined time period and a time period coterminous with the sensed condition.
11 . The monitoring system of claim 10 , wherein the pre-determined time period is within a range of 2 and 5 minutes.
12 . The monitoring system of claim 9 , wherein the sensed condition is movement at monitored location.
13 . The monitoring system of claim 12 , further comprising a sensor distinct from the base station and the one or more cameras, the sensor being configured to send the signal indicative of the sensed condition to the base station.
14 . The monitoring system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more components comprise a wireless transceiver.
15 . A method comprising:
receiving a signal of a plurality of signals, the signal indicating a time period of a plurality of time periods for operation of a camera in a low power mode, the plurality of time periods comprising a pre-determined time period and a time period coterminous with the sensed condition; and
entering the low power mode based on the time period; and
exiting the low power mode based on the time period.
16 . The method claim 11 , wherein the pre-determined time period is between 2 and 5 minutes.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein receiving the signal comprises receiving the signal from a base station.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein receiving the signal from the base station comprises receiving a signal indicative of motion.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising sending, by a sensor distinct from the base station, the signal indicative of motion to the base station.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
entering the low power mode comprises deactivating a wireless transceiver; and
exiting the low power mode comprises activating the wireless transceiver.