Apparatus for acquiring and processing images for a helmet, corresponding helmet, and method for acquiring and processing images - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for acquiring and processing images for a helmet, the apparatus comprising an image acquisition device with a sensor. The invention also relates to a helmet fitted with the image acquisition device. The invention further relates to an associated image acquisition and processing method.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for acquiring and processing images, which can be mounted on a helmet for use in the helmet. The invention also relates to a corresponding helmet and a method for acquiring images from the helmet, processing them and converting them into a video signal that can be transmitted, for example but not limited to, to a live television center for distribution and reproduction. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of protective helmets is known in situations where an accident may occur that could result in a blow or collision, even a very severe blow or collision, to the user's head.

[0003] Such situations may arise, for example, in sporting events where dangerous situations may arise, such as high speed performances, etc. Non-limiting examples may include motor racing, motorcycling, cycling, skiing and winter sports in general, American football, or any other athletic activity where the helmet protects the user from impacts that may be very dangerous to the user's safety.

[0004] It is also known that helmets such as those described above can often serve other purposes and / or functions than the protection for which they were originally developed.

[0005] Particularly in recent years, the structural and design complexity of helmets has increased with the integration of more and more technologies in helmets for both sporting and non-sporting applications.

[0006] For example, European Patents Nos. 2674048 and 1099390 disclose sports helmets incorporating acoustic communication and intercom devices.

[0007] As another example, US Pat. No. 9,432,565 discloses a video recording device that is placed outside a helmet for sports competitions.

[0008] One particularly dangerous example of a sporting event involving high speed performance and requiring the use of a very high degree of protective helmet is motor car or motorcycle racing.

[0009] In these cases, the user of the helmet may be the driver of a vehicle (eg, a car or a motorcycle) and / or a passenger.

[0010] It is also known that such sporting events are often filmed for broadcast on live television, streaming or distribution over the internet via appropriate channels.

[0011] In such cases, it is important to be able to obtain high quality images and videos from the perspective of the cars during the race, both for the purposes of live coverage of the event and for monitoring and controlling the progress of the event.

[0012] For example, in motor car and motorcycle races, it is known to use cameras mounted on the vehicles.

[0013] A step towards better image capture is to mount the camera directly on the driver's helmet.

[0014] However, incorporating electronic or other components into a high performance sports helmet presents significant technical challenges.

[0015] First, the image quality may not be adequate when the camera is moving, possibly at high speed, along a winding route with sharp turns or rapid accelerations and decelerations.

[0016] In order to provide high quality images and to obtain better details of the athletic events, such images need to be acquired at high frequency and high resolution.

[0017] Acquiring high resolution images typically requires complex electronic circuitry due to the large amount of data acquired by the camera and the need to transmit the data to an appropriate receiver.

[0018] Therefore, the camera or video sensor of known devices is typically a complex component in nature and may comprise, in addition to optical elements such as lenses, electronic elements such as a sensor board for converting the acquired optical signal into an electronic signal, a pre-processing board for pre-processing the raw data, and a serialization board for serializing the raw data into a serialized data stream that can be transmitted over long distances, for example via coaxial cables.

[0019] As a result, known image capture devices, sometimes high resolution and high frequency image capture devices, are typically very delicate and / or quite bulky.

[0020] Furthermore, the captured images often need to be digitally processed before being transmitted live on television, and this digital processing requires the provision of appropriate additional electronic components, which can be quite bulky and difficult to install and handle.

[0021] It may also be preferable to mount such devices on the exterior of the helmet, as disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 9,432,565.

[0022] However, a drawback of this solution is that the device may become dislodged in the event of an accident, shock or collision, thereby posing a safety risk to the user.

[0023] The above solutions also have the drawback that the device may subject the vehicle to significant aerodynamic stresses during high speed use or may become detached from the helmet.

[0024] Additionally, devices mounted on the exterior of a helmet or on the surface of a vehicle may provide images or video from an inappropriate perspective for properly capturing sporting events.

[0025] It is also known that in all the above cases, the safety of the driver or the helmet wearer in general must remain the top priority, and therefore the device must not and cannot affect the safety performance of the individual, nor must its presence on the helmet impede in any way the absolute freedom of movement or perfect performance of the user.

[0026] One object of the present invention is to be able to capture images and / or video from a viewpoint as close as possible to the viewpoint of the user's eyes in order to accurately reproduce the driver's field of view.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to enable the acquisition of such images with high image quality even under conditions of high speed, winding route, and rapid acceleration and deceleration.

[0028] Another object of the invention is to process the images in real time so that they can be transmitted on live television or on streaming or other channels over the internet.

[0029] Finally, another object of the invention is to guarantee a maximum level of safety for the user of the helmet, who may be the driver of a sports vehicle.

[0030] Applicant has conceived, tested and embodied the present invention which overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art and achieves the above-mentioned and other objects and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0031] The invention is defined in the independent claims, which state certain inventive features and which in the dependent claims state other features of the invention or variants of the main idea of ​​the invention.

[0032] The present invention relates to an apparatus for acquiring and processing images.

[0033] In the present invention, the image acquisition and processing device can be mounted on a helmet and includes an image acquisition device and an image processing device.

[0034] As is known, a helmet comprises a shell, a liner, and at least one opening for allowing the user to see.

[0035] The liner has a thickness that substantially corresponds to the opening for accommodating the user's eye.

[0036] The image capture device of the present invention comprises at least one sensor for capturing an image and signal transmission means for transmitting a video signal to an image processing device.

[0037] In one aspect of the invention, the sensor and image transmitting means are mounted substantially integrally within the helmet.

[0038] In one embodiment, the sensor may comprise a video camera or other suitable means for acquiring images and / or video, possibly at high frequency and in high definition.

[0039] This makes it possible to ensure high image quality even when in motion, possibly at high speed and / or while traveling along winding paths with sharp bends and rapid accelerations and decelerations.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention provides greater freedom in sensor positioning compared to other prior art devices, while minimizing or eliminating the device's invasiveness to the user's normal free movement.

[0041] In one aspect of the invention, the sensors are positioned to correspond to the thickness of the liner and are positioned in a suitable location to allow images to be captured substantially at eye level of the user.

[0042] This particular arrangement of sensors in the helmet allows for the recording of images and / or video as seen substantially from the user's perspective.

[0043] This feature overcomes the drawback of the prior art, in that images or videos obtained from devices mounted on the exterior of the helmet or on the surface of the vehicle provide images from an inappropriate perspective for properly capturing the performance of a sports competition.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the signal transmitting means is entirely housed within the shell of the helmet.

[0045] Such a feature can reduce aerodynamic stresses on the vehicle and improve the safety of the helmet by preventing any possible accidental removal of the image capture device.

[0046] In general, locating or spatially distributing the image capture device within the helmet as described above eliminates drawbacks associated with using image capture devices external to the helmet in the prior art, such as the potential for significant aerodynamic stresses and the risk of parts of the image capture device becoming detached from the helmet.

[0047] In some embodiments, the signal transmission means may comprise a flat cable and a serialization board, both of which may be mounted within the helmet, such as between the shell and the liner, and the signal transmission means may further comprise a connecting cable, a first end of which is connected to the serialization board and a second end of which protrudes externally from the helmet.

[0048] In another embodiment, the signal transmitting means may comprise a serialization board having a sensor mounted thereon and a connecting cable, the connecting cable being mountable within the helmet, and most of the connecting cable being contained within the helmet, with a first end of the connecting cable being connected to the serialization board and a second end of the connecting cable protruding from the helmet to the outside.

[0049] Such a feature provides the advantage that the image capture device can be mounted within the helmet without structurally or aesthetically modifying any component of the helmet.

[0050] This allows the same device to be fitted to many different types of helmets without requiring any structural or aesthetic modifications to the helmet itself, and without imposing any particular restrictions on the type of helmet to which the device can be fitted.

[0051] Another advantage is that the image capture device can be easily removed and reinstalled in the helmet, facilitating maintenance and replacement of parts in the event of damage or malfunction.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, the serialization board is connected to the image processing device using a coaxial cable.

[0053] The image processing device may comprise a processing board, suitable for example for processing the images received from the sensor and converting them into video data, and for managing the power supply and operation of all components of the device.

[0054] The presence of the serialization board within the helmet, and thus the data output from the helmet already serialized, allows the image processing device to be placed in any advantageous location on the vehicle, for example in a location that least interferes with the user's normal movements.

[0055] This feature overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, such as the drawback that the presence of electronic components can add significant bulk to the vehicle and can, even if only theoretically or potentially, limit the absolute freedom of the user.

[0056] In one embodiment, the processing board may be adapted to store video data on a removable support.

[0057] In one embodiment, the processing board may be suitable for transmitting video data in a format suitable for direct television broadcast to a live television control center.

[0058] The present invention also relates to a method for acquiring and processing an image.

[0059] The method involves acquiring images from a helmet-mounted sensor, the sensor being mounted in a position suitable for acquiring images substantially at eye level of the user.

[0060] The method also processes the images captured by the sensor and converts them into a video signal format suitable for transmission on live television.

[0061] The method of the present invention comprises: - acquiring an image and generating a raw signal at the output; - serializing the original signal and generating at the output a stream of serialized signals that can be transmitted over long distances; - deserializing and processing the stream of serialized signals to generate a video signal at an output; It has.

[0062] The present invention also relates to a helmet for use in the above device.

[0063] These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0064] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for acquiring and processing images of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the components of the device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4a] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the components shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of components of the device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] For ease of understanding, where possible, like reference numerals have been used to identify like common elements in the figures, and it should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be readily incorporated into other embodiments without further description.

[0066] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided as an illustration of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be adapted for or used in conjunction with other embodiments to implement still other embodiments. The invention should be construed as including all such modifications and variations.

[0067] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an image acquisition and processing device 10 (hereinafter "device 10") that may be mounted on a helmet 20 in accordance with the present invention.

[0068] The device 10 comprises as its main components an image acquisition device 30, an image processing device 40 and a data transmission cable 50, which are shown diagrammatically in the drawing.

[0069] The acquisition device 30 may be mounted within the helmet 20 during use.

[0070] The acquisition device 30 is in this example connected to a processing device 40 via a data transmission cable 50 .

[0071] In one embodiment, the data transmission cable 50 is a coaxial cable.

[0072] The processing device 40 may be connected to a power supply 80, such as a 12V DC power supply, via a power cable 90.

[0073] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the processing unit 40 is connected to the receiver 60 via a video transmission cable 70 .

[0074] The receiver 60 may be, for example, a live television transmission unit (on-board broadcast processing unit) installed on a vehicle, which can transmit video data to a live television control center (or broadcast center). In such a case, the receiver 60 is typically provided by the live television control center.

[0075] The present invention does not impose any particular limitations on the type of helmet 20 to which the acquisition device 30 can be attached, as will be explained below.

[0076] Thus, the helmet 20 may be full-face, jet, semi-jet, modular, or other type.

[0077] For purposes of illustration, the following and the drawings will refer to a one-piece helmet of the type typically used in motorsports and motorcycling, and although the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in this type of application, this should not be considered a limiting factor.

[0078] Therefore, the main components of the helmet 20 without the acquisition device 30 attached are considered to be known to those skilled in the art, and only the components necessary for explaining the present invention will be explicitly mentioned.

[0079] As shown by way of example in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a helmet 20 generally comprises a shell 21 and a liner 22.

[0080] The shell 21, as is known, is typically made of a material suitable for protecting the user's head from possible impacts or collisions.

[0081] The shell 21 usually has one or more openings to allow the user to insert their head and to ensure sufficient visibility for the user.

[0082] In the embodiment of helmet 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2, shell 21 has an opening for the head and an opening 23 for the eyes.

[0083] The liner 22 is also known and can be made of one or more different materials and can include one or more different layers.

[0084] For example, the liner 22 may include a protective layer that absorbs energy from an impact or collision and a relatively soft layer that is adapted to provide comfort to the wearer.

[0085] The liner 22 may also include a layer of fire-resistant material (fire-resistant fabric).

[0086] 1 and 2, the liner 22 essentially consists of an upper liner 22c and a lower liner 22d, which are joined together at the height of the eye opening 23. This feature can be advantageous, for example, if it is desired to use different materials for different zones of the helmet 20.

[0087] The outer surface 22a and inner surface 22b of the pad 22 define a thickness 26, which need not be uniform.

[0088] Therefore, each point on the inner surface of the shell 21 can be associated with a specific value of the thickness 26 of the liner 22 .

[0089] In FIG. 3, a portion of the liner 22 is visible at the front of the helmet 20, corresponding to the eye opening 23, and the thickness 26 of the liner 22 is indicated by a double arrow on the right side of the image.

[0090] The acquisition device 30 comprises a video type sensor 31 and signal transmission means.

[0091] The signal transmitting means comprises electronic components capable of transmitting the signals acquired by the sensor 31 to the processing device 40 .

[0092] In some embodiments, the signal transmitting means may transmit the signal using wireless technology.

[0093] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the acquisition device 30 when not attached to the helmet 20 .

[0094] In this embodiment, the acquisition device 30 includes a sensor 31, and the signal transmission means includes a flat cable 32, a serialization board 33, and a connection cable .

[0095] In another alternative embodiment of the acquisition device 30, illustrated in Fig. 4a, the sensor 31 is mounted directly on the serialization board 33 and no flat cable 32 is provided. In this case, the signal transmission means comprise the serialization board 33 and the connecting cable 34.

[0096] Another embodiment of the acquisition device 30, also shown in FIG. 4a, comprises in addition to the main sensor 31 a brightness sensor 37, which is used to adjust the brightness of the image acquired by the sensor 31.

[0097] In some embodiments, both the sensor 31 and the brightness sensor 37 may be implemented on the serialization board 33 .

[0098] In some embodiments, the sensor 31 may comprise a lens 31a and a sensor or pre-processing board 31b suitable for managing its operation, the sensor or pre-processing board 31b also being suitable for converting optical information into electronic information.

[0099] The sensor 31 may comprise a camera or other means suitable for acquiring images and / or video, possibly at high frequency and / or high resolution.

[0100] In some embodiments, the sensor 31 is based on color CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) technology.

[0101] In some embodiments, the sensor 31 is capable of capturing images and / or video at a resolution of 4224 x 3136 pixels or greater.

[0102] In some embodiments, a first end of the connection cable 34 is connected to the serialization board 33, possibly using a suitable connector, and a second end is suitable for connection to the data transmission cable 50.

[0103] In some embodiments, the connecting cable 34 may be a coaxial cable.

[0104] In some embodiments, the connection between the connecting cable 34 and the data transmission cable 50 is achieved using a rapid release component 35 .

[0105] In the above-described embodiments, such as the embodiment shown as an example in FIG. 4, the rapid release component 35 comprises an interface portion, such as a male connector 35a, attached to the second end of the connection cable 34, and a mating interface portion, such as a female connector 35b, attached to one end of the data transmission cable 50.

[0106] The rapid release component 35 is configured to quickly and naturally disconnect the data transmission cable 50 from the connecting cable 34 in the event of excessive stress or strain between the components 34,50.

[0107] Advantageously, such an arrangement ensures that in an emergency the user can quickly detach the helmet 20 from the image processing device 40 without using their hands and without encountering any significant resistance, allowing for quick and effortless evacuation from the vehicle.

[0108] In the present invention, the serialization board 33 is suitable for managing the serialization of the images acquired by the sensor 31 .

[0109] In some embodiments, the acquisition device 30 can be coated with a fire-resistant material.

[0110] In some embodiments, the largest dimension of the sensor 31 may be 20-25 mm, with a second dimension being less than 15 mm.

[0111] 1, 2 and 3 are perspective and front views of one embodiment of an acquisition device 30 as mounted within a helmet 20. FIG.

[0112] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor 31 is inserted into a support 36, which may be made of the same material from which the liner 22 is made.

[0113] In some embodiments, the largest dimension of support 36 may be 30-20 mm, the second dimension may be 25-15 mm, and the third dimension may be 5-2 mm, and preferably support 36 may be a parallelepiped with dimensions of 25 x 20 x 2.4 mm.

[0114] In some solutions, the support 36 may have a central hole through which the sensor 31 or part of the sensor 31 can be inserted.

[0115] In other embodiments, such as an embodiment in which a brightness sensor 37 is provided, the support portion 36 may have two holes into which both the sensor 31 or a part of the sensor 31 and the brightness sensor 37 or a part of the brightness sensor 37 can be inserted.

[0116] The support 36 on which the sensor 31 and, optionally, the brightness sensor 37 are mounted can be attached to the liner 22 of the helmet 20 at a desired position, for example, by means of double-sided adhesive tape.

[0117] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor 31 and possibly the brightness sensor 37 are positioned in the thickness 26 of the front liner 22 of the helmet 20 in a position suitable to capture images at substantially the eye level of the user, corresponding to the opening for the eyes.

[0118] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the second end of the connecting cable 34 projects from the base of the helmet 20 slightly rearward of the base of the chin guard portion.

[0119] In this embodiment, the second end of the connection cable 34 protrudes from the helmet 20 a sufficient distance to allow connection to the data transmission cable 50 .

[0120] It will be apparent that the specific location of the second end of the connecting cable 34 may vary depending on the type of helmet 20, vehicle configuration, or preferences or requirements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0121] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the flat cable 32 is disposed between the liner 22 and the shell 21 .

[0122] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the flat cable 32 is housed in a pedestal formed at the interface between the upper liner 22a and the lower liner 22b.

[0123] Similarly, in embodiments without a flat cable 32, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the connecting cable 34 is housed in a platform formed at the interface between the upper liner 22a and the lower liner 22b.

[0124] In some embodiments, the flat cable 32 and / or the connection cable 34 are attached to the cap body 21 by double-sided adhesive tape.

[0125] It is clear from the present specification that a housing for the flat cable 32 and / or the connecting cable 34 can be obtained when the liner 22 is made in a single piece, or when the liner 22 is made in multiple pieces.

[0126] In some embodiments, the processing device 40 may be located inside or outside the helmet 20 .

[0127] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the processing device 40 comprises a box portion 41 which houses an image processing board 42 and which is provided with connectors 43, 44, 45 for connecting to other components of the device 10 or to external devices.

[0128] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a power connector 43, an input connector 44 and an output connector 45 are provided.

[0129] In this embodiment, a data transmission cable 50 can be connected to the input connector 44 .

[0130] In this embodiment, the power cable 90 can be connected to the power connector 43 .

[0131] In this embodiment, a video transmission cable 70 can be connected to the output connector 45 .

[0132] In one embodiment, the maximum dimension of the box 41 is less than 160 mm.

[0133] In this embodiment, the second dimension of the box portion 41 is less than 60 mm.

[0134] In this embodiment, the third dimension of the box portion 41 is less than 25 mm.

[0135] The processing unit 40 can be positioned at a variable distance from the helmet 20 and the length of the transmission cable 50 can be adjusted accordingly.

[0136] Image degradation may occur as the length of the transmission cable 50 increases. However, applicant has recognized that transmission cables 50 up to 10 meters in length can be used without any degradation in image quality.

[0137] The processing board 42 is suitable for processing the images received from the sensor 31 and converting them into video signals, as well as for managing the power supply and operation of all components of the device 10 .

[0138] In some embodiments, the processing board 42 is also suitable for managing the deserialization of the video signal obtained from the sensor 31 .

[0139] In some embodiments, a dedicated deserialization board may be provided in the processing unit 40.

[0140] In other embodiments, the deserialization board may be printed on the processing board 42 as a single circuit.

[0141] Thus, in addition to signals related to the images acquired by the sensor 31, power and control signals necessary for the operation of the entire acquisition device 30 can also be transmitted over the data transmission cable 50.

[0142] In some embodiments, the processing board 42 is suitable for storing video data on a removable support. For example, the removable support, not shown in the drawings, can be an SD / microSD board. In this case, the processing board 42 can be suitable for processing signals in compressed H264 / H265 format with a quality of 1080p, 60fps or higher.

[0143] In some embodiments, the processing board 42 is suitable for transmitting video data to a live television control center in a format suitable for live television broadcasting.

[0144] In some embodiments, the processing board 42 may comprise a chip with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology.

[0145] In one embodiment, the video transmission cable 70 may be a coaxial cable.

[0146] In one embodiment, the video transmission cable 70 may have a coaxial output.

[0147] Thus, in some embodiments, the device 10 of the present invention can be installed in the helmet 20 using the following steps: - removing the liner 22 from the shell 21; - mounting the sensor 31 on a support 36; - attaching the support 36 to the liner 22; - attaching the flat cable 32 and / or the connection cable 34 to the cap body 21; - inserting the liner 22 back into the shell 21 in such a way as to ensure that at least the male connector 35a of the rapid release part 35 is accessible from the outside of the helmet 20 for connecting the data transmission cable 50; - placing a processing device 40 in the vehicle; - connecting the acquisition device 30 to the processing device 40, - connecting the processing device 40 to a power supply 80 and optionally to a receiver 60; -activating the power supply 80; - turning on the processing unit 40;

[0148] The invention also relates to a helmet 20 fitted with an acquisition device 30, such as that shown in the above-described embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

[0149] The present invention also relates to a method for acquiring and processing an image.

[0150] The method of the present invention acquires images by means of a sensor 31 mounted in a position on the helmet 20 suitable to enable images to be acquired substantially at eye level of the user.

[0151] The method of the present invention also processes the images and converts them into a video data format suitable for transmission on live television.

[0152] The method for acquiring and processing images of the present invention comprises: - acquiring an image and generating a raw signal at the output; - serializing the original signal and generating at the output a serialized signal stream that can be transmitted over long distances, for example by means of a connection cable 34 and a data transmission cable 50; - deserializing and processing the stream of serialized signals to generate a video signal at an output; It has.

[0153] In some embodiments, there may be a further step of storing the video signals on one or more removable supports.

[0154] In some embodiments, there may be a further step of transmitting the video signal in real time to a live television control center.

[0155] The image acquisition step involves acquiring an image using the sensor 31 attached to the helmet 20.

[0156] The sensor 31 converts the optical information of the image into electronic information and pre-processes the image.

[0157] In embodiments in which a brightness sensor 37 is provided, the brightness sensor 37 may assist the sensor 31 in the image acquisition step, for example by adjusting the brightness of the acquired image in real time.

[0158] Such a feature can improve the quality of the images acquired compared to embodiments in which the brightness sensor 37 is not provided, and can be advantageous, for example, for broadcasting or distributing high quality images on live television, streaming, or over the Internet via appropriate channels.

[0159] In some embodiments, the sensor 31 transmits the image as a raw signal via a flat cable 32 to a serialization board 33 .

[0160] In embodiments where the flat cable 32 is not provided, the serialization board 33 can receive this raw signal directly from the sensor 31 and / or possibly directly from the brightness sensor 37 .

[0161] The serialization step makes the original signal suitable for transfer to the processing board 42 .

[0162] In particular, the multiple raw signals coming from the sensors 31 are synchronized in a serialized signal stream to ensure integrity during transfer to the processing unit 40 .

[0163] This serialized stream of signals is deserialized and then processed by the processing board 42 .

[0164] In some embodiments, the deserialization board deserializes the serialized signal stream and converts it into a signal suitable for the FPGA chip.

[0165] The processing steps are performed by a processing board 42 .

[0166] The processing step processes the deserialized signal and converts it into video data suitable for transmission on live television.

[0167] The image processing step can also modify image parameters in real time by dedicated software.

[0168] In particular, parameters such as image resolution, video frame rate, image mirror and flip cropping, windowing, and electronic image stabilization can be modified in real time.

[0169] In such an embodiment, the video data may have a quality of 720 pixels, 50 Hz and 50 sub-samples, color 4:2:2 or better.

[0170] In some embodiments, control steps for the operation of the device 10 may also be provided.

[0171] This control step can be controlled to ensure that all signal streams (original signal, serialized signal, deserialized signal, video signal) are transmitted properly within the device 10 and, in some cases, also sent properly to a live television control center.

[0172] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions can be made to the above-described device 10, helmet 20, and method without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0173] Furthermore, while the present invention has been described with reference to certain specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other equivalent embodiments of the device 10, helmet 20 and method can certainly be implemented which incorporate the features recited in the claims and thus fall entirely within the scope of protection specified by the claims.

Claims

1. A device (10) for acquiring and processing images, partly mounted within a helmet (20), comprising: The system comprises an image acquisition device (30) and an image processing device (40) having a data transmission cable (50), An apparatus (10) in which the image acquisition device (30) comprises at least one sensor (31) for acquiring images and signal transmission means (32, 33, 34) for transmitting video signals to the image processing device (40), The sensor (31) is attached inside the helmet (20), and a part of the signal transmitting means (32, 33, 34) is attached integrally inside the helmet (20), The signal transmitting means (32, 33, 34) comprises a connecting cable (34) having a first end and a second end; the second end of the connection cable (34) protrudes outside the helmet (20) and is connected to the data transmission cable (50) outside the helmet (20) using a rapid release part (35); The helmet (20) has a liner (22) and at least one opening (23) extending at least to the eye level of a user; The liner (22) has a thickness (26); The sensor (31) is positioned within the thickness (26) of the liner (22) substantially corresponding to the edge of the opening (23).

1. An apparatus (10) comprising:

2. At least one of the connection cable (34) and the data transmission cable (50) is a coaxial cable. The device (10) of claim 1.

3. The signal transmitting means (32, 33, 34) also includes a serialization board (33), The first end of the connection cable (34) is connected to the serialization board (33). connected, 3. The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The sensor (31) is mounted on the serialization board (33). The device (10) of claim 3.

5. The image processing device (40) comprises means for deserializing and processing the images received from the image acquisition device (30) and converting them into video signals, and for managing the power supply and operation of all components of the device (10). The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The image processing device (40) comprises means for storing the video signal on a support such as SD / microSD, The device (10) of claim 5.

7. said image processing device (40) comprising means for transmitting said video signal in a format suitable for direct television broadcast to a live television control centre; 7. Apparatus (10) according to claim 5 or 6.

8. said sensor (31) being based on color CMOS technology; The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A helmet (20) comprising a shell (21), a liner (22), at least one opening (23) extending at least to the eye level of a user, and an image capture device (30), A helmet (20) in which the image acquisition device (30) comprises at least one sensor (31) for acquiring images and signal transmission means (32, 33, 34) for transmitting a video signal to an external device, The sensor (31) and the signal transmitting means (32, 33, 34) are integrally mounted in the helmet (20), The signal transmitting means (32, 33, 34) comprises a connecting cable (34) having a first end and a second end; the second end of the connecting cable (34) protrudes out of the helmet (20) and is connected to the external device outside the helmet (20) using a rapid release part (35); The liner (22) has a thickness (26); The sensor (31) is positioned within the thickness (26) of the liner (22) in correspondence with the edge of the opening (23). A helmet (20) characterized in that

10. The helmet (20) has a shell (21), The signal transmitting means (32, 33, 34) includes a flat cable (32) and a serialization board (33) all housed within the cap body (21), and a connection cable (34); A first end of the connection cable (34) is connected to the serialization board (33), and a second end of the connection cable (34) protrudes to the outside of the helmet (20). A helmet (20) according to claim 9.

11. The helmet (20) has a shell (21), The signal transmitting means (33, 34) includes a serialization board (33) on which the sensor (31) is mounted, and a connection cable (34) the majority of which is housed within the cap body (21); A first end of the connection cable (34) is connected to the serialization board (33), and a second end of the connection cable (34) protrudes to the outside of the helmet (20). A helmet (20) according to claim 9.

12. 1. A method for acquiring and processing images from a helmet-mounted sensor (31) and converting them into a video signal format suitable for transmission on live television, comprising: The helmet (20) has a liner (22) and at least one opening (23) extending at least to the eye level of a user; The liner (22) has a thickness (26); the sensor (31) is positioned within the thickness (26) of the liner (22) substantially corresponding to an edge of the opening (23); The method comprises: acquiring an image and generating an original signal at the output; serializing the original signal and generating at output a stream of serialized signals that can be transmitted over long distances by a connection cable (34) having a first end and a second end, the second end of the connection cable (34) protruding outside the helmet (20) and connected to a data transmission cable (50) using a rapid release part (35); transmitting the stream of serialized signals; deserializing and processing the stream of serialized signals to generate a video signal at an output; A method comprising:

13. There is further provided a storage step of storing the video signal on one or more removable supports such as SD / microSD.

13. The method of claim 12.

14. a transmitting step of transmitting the video signal in real time to a live television broadcast control center is further provided.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13.

15. 12. A method for mounting a part of a device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in a helmet (20) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising a shell (21) and a liner (22), comprising: Removing the liner (22) from the hat body (21); Mounting the sensor (31) on a support (36); attaching the support portion (36) to the liner (22), wherein the helmet (20) has at least one opening (23) extending at least to the height of the user's eyes, and the support portion (36) is positioned within the thickness (26) of the liner (22) substantially corresponding to an edge of the opening (23); Attaching the flat cable (32) and / or the connection cable (34) to the cap body (21); inserting the liner (22) back into the shell (21) so as to ensure that at least the connector of the rapid release part (35) is accessible from outside the helmet (20) for connection between the connection cable (34) and the data transmission cable (50); A method comprising:

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