Smart camera with a plurality of slots for modular expansion capability through a variety of function modules connected to the smart camera
US7327396B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/66
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A smart camera with modular expansion capabilities, including a housing, a camera directly attached to the housing for acquiring an image of an object, a functional unit comprised in the housing and coupled to the camera, where the functional unit is configurable to implement an image processing function, a backplane comprised in the housing and coupled to the functional unit to provide electrical communication, and one or more slots comprised in the housing, where each slot includes a connector that is electrically coupled to the backplane, and where each slot is adapted for receiving a function module. An inserted function module provides modular functionality to the smart camera, such as dedicated image processing functionality, pattern recognition, analysis, communication, sensor, sensor I/O, signal conditioning and/or conversion, control, measurement, and synchronization, among others. The function module may communicate a protocol to the functional unit which may be configured to implement the protocol.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.