Miniature HD Camera System

Abstract

A miniature high definition camera system which converts parallel data to serial data at the camera and then back to parallel data at a remote digital video recorder to avoid signal attenuation issues known to occur with parallel data transmitted across data cables. The camera system features video sensors to permit recording in visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths as well as in low light for night vision.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A miniature camera system comprising, a camera module which converts light into serial data, said camera module comprised of, at least, one lens arranged to direct light onto a photo-detector of a video sensor affixed to a printed circuit board, integrated circuitry to convert parallel data to serial data, and a plurality of audio inputs on a digital video recorder to record audio from a plurality of audio sources simultaneously with the recording of digital video, said video sensor selected from the group consisting of video sensors which detect wavelengths in the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet spectrums. 
     
     
         2 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , wherein said video sensor which detects light in the visible spectrum is further optimized for night vision. 
     
     
         3 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data cable, said data cable having a plurality of conducting wires affixed to component terminals on said printed circuit board of said camera module wherein each said conductor is arranged to received and communicate a single channel of serial data from said integrated circuitry from said camera module. 
     
     
         4 . The miniature camera system of  claim 3 , further comprising an audio-visual data recording device, said audio-visual data recording device arranged to receive said serial data communicated by said data cable from said camera module, said audio-visual data recording device comprised of, at least, integrated circuitry affixed to a printed circuit board to convert received serial data to parallel data and to compress said parallel data, and a digital data recorder to receive said compressed parallel data and store said data on computer readable media. 
     
     
         5 . The miniature camera system of  claim 4 , wherein said digital data recorder possesses an HDSC card writer. 
     
     
         6 . The miniature camera system of  claim 4 , wherein said data cable is a mini-HDMI audio-visual cable connected to said printed circuit board in said camera by soldering wire conductors directly to component terminals. 
     
     
         7 . The miniature camera system of  claim 6 , wherein said audio-visual data recording device possesses a female mini-HDMI connector to receive said HDMI audio-visual cable. 
     
     
         8 . The miniature camera system of  claim 4 , wherein said audio-visual data recording device possesses a female micro-USB connector for direct data transfer. 
     
     
         9 . The miniature camera system of  claim 4 , further comprising a microphone. 
     
     
         10 . The miniature camera system of  claim 9 , wherein said digital data recorder receives data from said microphone via a female audio jack that receives a male connector of said microphone. 
     
     
         11 . The miniature camera system of  claim 4 , further comprising a data recording device harness to retain said data recording device, wherein said harness may be removably affixed to a person or object. 
     
     
         12 . The miniature camera system of  claim 11 , wherein said harness receives said data recording device in a tensioned snap-fit arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The miniature camera system of  claim 3 , further comprising an audio-visual data transmitting device, said audio-visual data transmitting device arranged to receive said serial data communicated by said data cable from said camera module, said audio-visual data transmitting device comprised of, at least, integrated circuitry affixed to a printed circuit board programmed to convert received serial data to parallel data and programmed to compress said parallel data, and a wireless transmitter to broadcast said compressed parallel data. 
     
     
         14 . The miniature camera system of  claim 13 , wherein said wireless transmitter utilizes a communications protocol selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, Wireless HD, Cellular, IEEE 802.22, Wi-Fi, and UWB. 
     
     
         15 . The miniature camera system of  claim 3 , further comprising a camera housing joined to a camera mount by a ball and socket joint. 
     
     
         16 . The miniature camera system of  claim 3 , further comprising a camera housing affixed to a camera mount having at least one top mounting arm to extend over a nose bridge of an eyewear frame and at least one bottom mounting arm to extend beneath said nose bridge of said eyewear frame wherein said top and said bottom mounting arms are tensioned so as to secure said camera housing to said nose bridge when affixed to said eyewear. 
     
     
         17 . The miniature camera system of  claim 16 , wherein said data cable is secured to an upper rim on said eyewear by at least one cord clip. 
     
     
         18 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the video sensor is selected from the group of video sensors optimized for infrared, ultraviolet, and human visible wavelengths. 
     
     
         19 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the video sensor is a low light video sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is removably affixed and interchangeable with lenses having different focal lengths. 
     
     
         21 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is removably affixed and interchangeable with a lens having a different focal lengths. 
     
     
         22 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is removably affixed and interchangeable with a lens having a filter. 
     
     
         23 . The miniature camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is removably affixed and interchangeable with a wide-angle lens.