SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFECTIVELY UTILIZING A RECORDER DEVICE

BACKGROUND SECTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to techniques for handling electronic information,
and relates more particularly to a system and method for effectively utilizing a recorder
device.
2. Description of the Background Art
Implementing effective methods for handling electronic information is a significant
consideration for designers and manufacturers of contemporary electronic entertainment
systems. However, effectively handling electronic information may create substantial
challenges for system designers. For example, enhanced demands for increased system
functionality and performance may require more system processing power and require
additional hardware resources. An increase in processing or hardware requirements may
also result in a corresponding detrimental economic impact due to increased production
costs and operational inefficiencies.
Furthermore, enhanced system capability to perform various advanced operations
may provide additional benefits to a system user, but may also place increased demands
on the control and management of various system components. For example, an
enhanced electronic system that effectively captures and manages video information may
benefit from an efficient implementation because of the large amount and complexity of
the digital data involved.
Due to growing demands on system resources and substantially increasing data
magnitudes, it is apparent that developing new techniques for handling electronic
information is a matter of concern for related electronic technologies. Therefore, for all
the foregoing reasons, developing effective systems for handling electronic information
remains a significant consideration for designers, manufacturers, and users of
contemporary electronic devices.
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SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are disclosed for
effectively implementing a recording system. In accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, a recorder of the recording system initially utilizes a timecode
generator to begin generating a timecode signal in any effective manner. The recorder
then utilizes a security manager to establish secure wireless connections to a plurality of
different cameras in the recording system according to any effective techniques or
protocols.
The recorder next utilizes a transceiver to wirelessly transmit the generated
timecode signal to the different respective cameras. The various cameras then proceed to
capture appropriate video data and corresponding audio data. The cameras also utilize
respective timecode managers to insert the received timecode into the captured camera
data (video data and audio data). The cameras then utilize respective transceivers to
transmit the camera data to the recorder which receives the camera data from the various
cameras, and then locally stores the received camera data in the recorder memory.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a connection may
also be concurrently provided between the recorder and a public address system (PA) in
any effective manner. A recorder application from the recorder accesses the timecode
that is being generated by the timecode generator. The recorder receives a PA audio
signal from the PA, and the recorder application combines the PA audio signal with the
timecode signal to produce PA data. The recorder application then locally stores the PA
data in the recorder memory.
In accordance with certain embodiments, a connection may be provided between
the recorder and a computer in any effective manner. The computer may then initiate bidirectional
communications with the recorder according to any appropriate protocols or
techniques. An editing program of the computer may gain access to the camera data and
the PA data that is stored in the recorder memory. The editing program of the computer
may remotely control an editing procedure performed upon the camera data and the PA
data while it remains stored in the recorder memory to thereby produce edited data.
Finally, the recorder application stores the edited data locally in the recorder memory.
The present invention thus provides an improved system and methodology for effectively
implementing a recording system.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording system, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the recorder of FIG. 1, in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the recorder memory of FIG. 2, in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the camera data of FIG. 3, in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for one embodiment of a camera from FIG. 1, in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the capture subsystem from FIG.
5, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the control module from FIG. 5, in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the camera memory from FIG. 7,
in accordance with the present invention; and
FIGS. 9A-C provide a flowchart of method steps for effectively utilizing a recording
system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in recording systems. The
following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and
use the invention, and is provided in the context of a patent application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to
other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and features described herein.
The present invention is described herein as a system and method for effectively
utilizing a recorder device, and includes a timecode generator that generates timecode for
synchronizing electronic information. A transceiver of the recorder device wirelessly
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transmits the timecode to a plurality of cameras. The cameras capture video data and
audio data, and timecode managers of the respective cameras combine the received
timecode with the captured video data and audio data to produce camera data. The
cameras then wirelessly transmit the camera data to the recorder device for storage in a
recorder memory. The recorder device may also receive and store PA audio data from a
public address system. Furthermore, a computer device may communicate with the
recorder device to perform various types of editing procedures on the stored camera data
and PA data to produce edited data.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a recording system 110 is shown, in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the FIG. 1 embodiment,
recording system 110 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of cameras 112, a
recorder 114, a public address system (PA) 116, and a computer 118. In alternate
embodiments, recording system 110 may be implemented by utilizing components and
configurations in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components and
configurations discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 1 embodiment.
In accordance with the present invention, any desired number of cameras 112 may
be supported in recording system 110. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, cameras 112 may
include a camera 1 (112(a)) through a camera N 112(c). In the FIG. 1 embodiment, each
of the cameras 112 bi-directionally communicates with recorder 114 by utilizing any
appropriate and secure wireless communication techniques or other effective
communication methods. One implementation for the cameras 112 is further discussed
below in conjunction with FIGS. 5-8.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, recorder 114 may be implemented in any effective
manner to concurrently record camera data transmitted from the various cameras 112.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, recorder 114 also wirelessly provides a global synchronization
signal (such as known or enhanced timecode) to the cameras 112 for combining with the
captured video data and audio data. This embedded timecode significantly facilitates any
subsequent editing procedures by allowing the camera data from the various cameras to
be easily synchronized.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, recorder 114 typically provides appropriate interface
means for connecting a plurality of hard disk drives to support a disk swap procedure
that enables greatly extended recording times. For example, when a given hard disk
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become full, recorder 114 may advantageously switch the recording process to another
non-full hard disk. The full hard disk may then be replaced by another empty hard disk.
Providing the cameras 112 with wireless access to the hard disks on recorder 114
alleviates the need to locally store the camera data on non-volatile memory in the
respective cameras 112. Additional details for one embodiment of recorder 114 are
further discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 2-4.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, recorder 114 may be coupled to PA 116 in any effective
manner. PA 116 typically includes, but is not limited to, one or more microphones or
other audio sources, and an audio mixer device that combines the audio signals into a
composite PA audio signal. In certain embodiments, PA 116 may typically be utilized at a
particular live event that is concurrently being photographed with cameras 112. In
accordance with the present invention, recorder 114 receives the composite PA audio
signal from PA 116. Recorder 114 combines the received PA audio signal with the same
timecode signal that is being wirelessly transmitted to cameras 112 to thereby produce
PA data that can then readily be synchronized with camera data from cameras 112.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, recorder 114 may be coupled to computer 118 in any
effective manner. For example, recorder 114 may be efficiently coupled to computer 118
through a single cable connection that supports bi-directional communication by using
any effective protocols or techniques. Computer 118 may be implemented in any
appropriate manner to control and otherwise interact with recorder 114. For example,
computer 118 may include appropriate editing software that allows computer 118 to
efficiently perform various appropriate non-linear editing procedures on the camera data
and the PA data stored in recorder 114 without transferring the camera data or the PA
data to computer 118. The implementation and utilization of the FIG. 1 recording system
110 is further discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 2-9.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG. 1 recorder
114 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the FIG. 2 embodiment,
recorder 114 may include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU) 212, a
transceiver 214, a display 216, a recorder memory 218, a timecode generator 220, and
input/output interfaces (I/O interfaces) 222. Selected ones of the foregoing components
of recorder 114 may be coupled to, and communicate through, a recorder bus 228. In
alternate embodiments, recorder 114 may be implemented using components and
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configurations in addition to, or instead of, certain of those components and
configurations discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 2 embodiment.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, CPU 212 may be implemented to include any
appropriate and compatible microprocessor device that executes software instructions to
thereby control and manage the operation of recorder 114. In the FIG. 2 embodiment,
transceiver 214 may include any effective means to support bi-directional wireless
communications between recorder 114 and cameras 112 or other electronic devices. For
example, transceiver 214 may provide multiple transmission and reception channels to
concurrently communicate with a plurality of external wireless devices.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, display 216 may include any effective means for
presenting visual information to a system user. For example, display 216 may include
various status indicators that provide information regarding the operation of recorder 114
or other appropriate entities. In the FIG. 2 embodiment, recorder memory 218 may be
implemented to include any combination of desired storage devices, including, but not
limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and various types of
non-volatile memory, such as floppy disks, flash memory, or hard disks. The contents
and functionality of memory 218 are further discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 3
and 4.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, timecode generator 220 may be implemented to generate
one or more synchronization signals according to any known or enhanced protocols or
formats. For example, timecode generator 220 may produce timecode in either digital or
analog formats to indicate a chronological sequence of time indications of any appropriate
increments.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, I/O interfaces 222 may include one or more input
and/or output interfaces to receive and/or transmit any required types of information for
recorder 114. For example, in the FIG. 2 embodiment, recorder 114 may utilize I/O
interfaces 222 to bi-directionally communicate with other external devices in recording
system 110 (FIG. 1). Furthermore, a system user may utilize I/O interfaces 222 to
communicate with recorder 114 by utilizing any appropriate and effective techniques. For
example, a system user may utilize a remote control device or a keyboard to communicate
with recorder 114 through I/O interfaces 222. Additional details regarding the
implementation of recorder 114 are discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 3-4.
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Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG. 2 recorder
memory 218 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the FIG. 3
embodiment, memory 218 includes, but is not limited to, a recorder application 312, a
security manager 316, camera data 318, PA data 320, a communication manager 322,
edited data 324, and miscellaneous storage 328. In alternate embodiments, recorder
memory 218 may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain of those
components discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 3 embodiment.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, recorder application 312 may include program
instructions that are preferably executed by CPU 212 (FIG. 2) to perform various
functions and operations for recorder 114. The particular nature and functionality of
recorder application 312 may vary depending upon factors such as the specific type and
particular functionality of the corresponding recorder 114.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, recorder 114 utilizes security manager 316 to create
secure lines of wireless communication between recorder 114 and cameras 112 in any
effective manner. For example, cameras 112 may transmit unique security identifiers
with the transmitted camera data, and security manager 316 may then only accept and
store wireless transmission for which an appropriate security identifier is detected.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, camera data 318 may include any appropriate
information or data transmitted by cameras 112 to recorder 114. For example, camera
data 318 may typically include video information, audio information, and timecode
information. Additional details regarding camera data 318 are further discussed below in
conjunction with FIG. 4. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, PA data 320 may include any
appropriate information or data accessed by recorder 114 from PA 116 (FIG. 1). For
example, PA data 320 may typically include audio information and timecode information.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, recorder 114 may utilize communication manager 322 to
bi-directionally communicate with various external devices. For example, in certain
embodiments, communication manager 322 may communicate with one or more cameras
112 to support a remote recorder control procedure during which camera users can
remotely control various appropriate functions of recorder 114. During the remote
recorder control procedure, communication manager 322 may provide various status
indication signals to a controlling camera 112. The controlling camera 112 may display
corresponding information in a viewfinder. A camera user may then cause the controlling
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camera 112 to transmit any desired control signals to thus remotely manage the
operation of recorder 114.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, a computer 118 or other appropriate electronic device
may access camera data 318 and PA data 320 for performing an editing procedure
directly on recorder 114 to produce edited data 324, as discussed above in conjunction
with FIG. 1. Miscellaneous storage 328 may include any additional desired information,
software, or data. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, the present invention is disclosed and
discussed as being implemented primarily as software. However, in alternate
embodiments, some or all of the functions of the present invention may be performed by
appropriate electronic hardware circuits that are configured for performing various
functions that are equivalent to those functions of the software modules discussed
herein. The utilization of recorder memory 218 is further discussed below in conjunction
with FIGS. 9A-C.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the FIG. 3 camera data 318 is shown,
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In alternate embodiments,
camera data 318 may be implemented using components and configurations in addition
to, or instead of, certain of those components and configurations discussed in
conjunction with the FIG. 4 embodiment.
In the FIG. 4 embodiment, camera data 318 includes discrete sets of individual
camera data 318 from respective cameras 112 (FIG. 1). For example, in the FIG. 4
embodiment, camera data 318 includes camera 1 data 318(a) from camera 112(a)
through camera N data 318(c) from camera N 112(c). Any desired number of cameras
112 are contemplated for use in recording system 110. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, each
set of camera data 318 may include any appropriate information or data transmitted by a
corresponding camera 112 to recorder 114. For example, each set of camera data 318
may typically include video information, audio information, and timecode information, as
discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 3.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram for one embodiment of a camera 112 is
shown, in accordance with the present invention.
In the FIG. 5 embodiment, camera 112 is implemented as a video camera that may
include, but is not limited to, a capture subsystem 514, a system bus 516, and a
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control module 518. In the FIG. 5 embodiment, capture subsystem 514 may be
optically coupled to a photographic target 512, and may also be electrically coupled via
system bus 516 to control module 518.
In alternate embodiments, camera 112 may include components in addition to,
or instead of, certain of those components discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 5
embodiment. In addition, in certain embodiments, the present invention may
alternately be practiced with any appropriate type of electronic device other than the
camera 112 of FIG. 5. For example, camera 112 may alternately be implemented as
an imaging device, a cellular telephone, a computer device, or a consumer electronics
device.
In the FIG. 5 embodiment, once a system user has focused capture subsystem
514 on target 512 and requested camera 112 to capture image data corresponding to
target 512, then control module 518 may instruct capture subsystem 514 via system
bus 516 to capture image data representing target 512. The captured image data may
then be transferred over system bus 516 to control module 518, which may
responsively perform various processes and functions with the image data. System
bus 516 may also bi-directionally pass various status and control signals between
capture subsystem 514 and control module 518.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG. 5 capture
subsystem 514 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the FIG. 6
embodiment, capture subsystem 514 comprises, but is not limited to, a shutter 618, a
lens unit 620, an image sensor 624, red, green, and blue (R/G/B) amplifiers 628, an
analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 630, and an interface 632. In alternate embodiments,
capture subsystem 514 may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain
those components discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 6 embodiment.
In the FIG. 6 embodiment, capture subsystem 514 captures image data
corresponding to target 512 via reflected light impacting image sensor 624 along
optical path 636. Image sensor 624, which may include a charged-coupled device
(CCD), may responsively generate a set of image data representing the target 512. The
image data may then be routed through red, green, and blue amplifiers 628, A/D
converter 630, and interface 632. From interface 632, the image data passes over
system bus 516 to control module 518 for appropriate processing and storage. Other
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types of image capture sensors, such as CMOS or linear arrays are also contemplated
for capturing image data in conjunction with the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG. 5 control
module 518 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the FIG. 7
embodiment, control module 518 includes, but is not limited to, a viewfinder 708, a
central processing unit (CPU) 744, a memory 746, one or more input/output interface(s)
(I/O) 748, and a transceiver 750. Viewfinder 708, CPU 744, memory 746, I/O 748, and
transceiver 750 are each coupled to, and communicate, via common system bus 516 that
also communicates with capture subsystem 514. In alternate embodiments, control
module 518 may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain of those
components discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 7 embodiment.
In the FIG. 7 embodiment, CPU 744 may be implemented to include any
appropriate microprocessor device. Alternately, CPU 744 may be implemented using any
other appropriate technology. For example, CPU 744 may be implemented to include
certain application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other appropriate electronic
devices. Camera memory 746 may be implemented as one or more appropriate storage
devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory, random-access memory, and
various types of non-volatile memory, such as floppy disc devices, hard disc devices, or
flash memory. I/O 748 may provide one or more effective interfaces for facilitating bidirectional
communications between camera 112 and any external entity, including a
system user or another electronic device. I/O 748 may be implemented using any
appropriate input and/or output devices. The operation and utilization of control module
518 are further discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 8.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG. 7 camera
memory 746 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the FIG. 8
embodiment, memory 746 may include, but is not limited to, a camera application 812,
an operating system 814, a timecode manager 816, a security module 818, camera data
820, a communication module 822, and miscellaneous 824. In alternate embodiments,
memory 746 may include components in addition to, or instead of, certain of those
components discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 8 embodiment.
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In the FIG. 8 embodiment, camera application 812 may include program
instructions that are executed by CPU 744 (FIG. 7) to perform various functions and
operations for camera 112. The particular nature and functionality of camera application
812 varies depending upon factors such as the type and particular use of the
corresponding camera device 112. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, operating system 814
controls and coordinates low-level functionality of camera device 112.
In the FIG. 8 embodiment, camera 112 may utilize timecode manager 816 for
receiving a global synchronization signal (such as known or enhanced timecode) from
recorder 114, as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Timecode manager 816
may then advantageously combine the received timecode with video data and audio data
captured by camera 112 to thereby produce final camera data 820 for transmission to
recorder 114. This embedded timecode significantly facilitates any subsequent editing
procedures by allowing the camera data from the various cameras to be easily
synchronized.
In the FIG. 8 embodiment, camera 112 utilizes security module 818 to help create
secure lines of wireless communication between recorder 114 and camera 112 in any
effective manner. For example, security module 818 may transmit a security identifier
with the transmitted camera data 820 for detection by recorder 114, as discuss above in
conjunction with FIG. 3.
In the FIG. 8 embodiment, camera 112 may utilize communication module 822 to
bi-directionally communicate with recorder 114 for any appropriate purposes. For
example, in certain embodiments, communication module 822 may communicate with
recorder 114 to support a remote recorder control procedure during which a camera user
can remotely control various appropriate functions of recorder 114. During the remote
recorder control procedure, communication module 822 may receive various status
indication signals from recorder 114. Camera 112 may display corresponding
information in a viewfinder 708. The camera user may then cause camera 112 to
transmit any desired control signals to thus remotely manage the operation of recorder
114. Miscellaneous storage 824 may include any additional desired information,
software, or data. Additional detail regarding the utilization of camera memory 746 are
further discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 9A-C.
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Referring now to FIGS. 9A-C, a flowchart of method steps for effectively utilizing a
recording system 110 is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The FIG. 9 example is presented for purposes of illustration, and in alternate
embodiments, the present invention may utilize various steps and sequences other than
those discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 9 embodiment.
In the FIG. 9A embodiment, in step 912, a recorder 114 in a recording system 110
(FIG. 1) initially utilizes a timecode generator 220 to begin generating a timecode signal in
any effective manner. After step 912, the FIG. 9A flowchart branches off to step 928 of
FIG. 9B through connecting letter “A.” In addition, in step 914 of FIG. 9A, the recorder
114 utilizes a security manager 316 to establish secure wireless connections to a plurality
of different cameras 112 according to any effective techniques or protocols.
In step 916, the recorder 114 utilizes a transceiver 214 to wirelessly transmit the
generated timecode signal to the different respective cameras 112. In step 918, the
various cameras 112 capture appropriate video data and corresponding audio data. In
step 920, the cameras 112 utilize respective timecode managers 816 to insert the received
timecode into the captured camera data 820 (video data and audio data).
In step 924, the cameras 112 then utilize respective transceivers 750 to transmit
the camera data 820 to the recorder 114. In step 926, the recorder 114 receives the
camera data 820 from the various cameras 112, and then locally stores the received
camera data in the recorder memory 218. The FIG. 9A process then advances to step 938
of the FIG. 9C flowchart through connecting letter “B.”
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the process
described below in conjunction with the FIG. 9B flowchart may typically occur
concurrently with the process described above in conjunction with the FIG. 9A flowchart.
In step 928 of the FIG. 9B embodiment, a connection is provided between the recorder
114 and a public address system (PA) 116 in any effective manner. In step 932, a
recorder application 312 accesses the timecode that is being generated by the timecode
generator 220 of the recorder 114.
In step 932, the recorder 114 receives a PA audio signal from the PA 116. In step
934, the recorder application 312 combines the PA audio signal with the timecode signal
to produce PA data 320. In step 936, the recorder application 312 locally stores the PA
data 320 in the recorder memory 218. The FIG. 9B process then advances to step 938 of
the FIG. 9C flowchart through connecting letter “B.”
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In step 938 of the FIG. 9C embodiment, a connection is provided between the
recorder 114 and a computer 118 in any effective manner. In step 940, the computer 118
initiates bi-directional communications with the recorder 114 according to any
appropriate protocols or techniques. In step 942, an editing program of the computer
118 gains access to the camera data 318 and the PA data 320 that is stored in the
recorder memory 218.
In step 944, the editing program of the computer 118 remotely controls an editing
procedure performed upon the camera data 318 and the PA data 320 while it remains
stored in the recorder memory 218 to thereby produce edited data 324. Finally, in step
946, the recorder application 312 stores the edited data 324 locally in recorder memory
218. The present invention thus provides an improved system and methodology for
effectively utilizing a recorder device.
The invention has been explained above with reference to certain embodiments.
Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.
For example, the present invention may readily be implemented using configurations and
techniques other than those described in the embodiments above. Additionally, the
present invention may effectively be used in conjunction with systems other than those
described above. Therefore, these and other variations upon the discussed embodiments
are intended to be covered by the present invention, which is limited only by the
appended claims.
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WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for supporting a recording procedure, comprising:
a timecode generator that generates timecode for synchronizing electronic
information; and
a transceiver that wirelessly transmits said timecode to a plurality of cameras for
combining with video data and audio data to produce camera data, said
cameras wirelessly transmitting said camera data to a recorder for storing in
a recorder memory.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recorder simultaneously stores separate sets
of said camera data, each of said separate sets being transmitted from a different
respective one of said plurality of cameras.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said separate sets of said camera data are able to
be synchronized because identical instances of said timecode have been embedded in said
separate sets of said camera data.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein previously embedding said timecode in said
camera data facilitates an audio-video editing procedure.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a security manager of said recorder establishes
secure wireless communication links between said recorder and said cameras.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said security manager authorizes receiving and
locally storing only said camera data that includes a unique identifier that is provided by
said cameras.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recorder memory is implemented to include
a plurality of hard disk drives for storing said camera data.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said recorder memory supports a disk-drive
swapping procedure to enable extended recording times for capturing said camera data.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recorder is coupled to a public address
system that provides a PA audio signal to said recorder.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said recorder combines said timecode with said
PA audio signal to produce PA data that is stored in said recorder memory.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recorder is coupled to a computer to support
bi-directional communication procedures.
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12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said recorder is coupled to said computer
through a single interface cable.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said computer includes an editing application
for performing an editing procedure.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said editing application references said timecode
to perform said editing procedure on said camera data and on PA data from a public
address system.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said editing procedure occurs on said recorder
without transferring said camera data and said PA data to said computer.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recorder and a controller camera from said
plurality of cameras support a remote recorder control procedure during which a camera
user utilizes said controller camera to control operations of said recorder.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a communication manager of said recorder
wirelessly sends recorder status signals to said controller camera for display to said
camera user in a viewfinder device.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said camera user utilizes a communication
module of said controller camera to wirelessly transmit recorder control signals to said
recorder.
19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said recorder concurrently records said camera
data from said plurality of cameras and PA data from a public address system, said
camera data and said PA data being synchronized for an editing procedure by embedding
synchronized versions of said timecode.
20. A method for supporting a recording procedure, comprising:
providing a timecode generator that generates timecode for synchronizing electronic
information;
transmitting said timecode wirelessly to a plurality of cameras for combining with
video data and audio data to produce camera data; and
transmitting said camera data wirelessly from said cameras to a recorder for storing
in a recorder memory.
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21. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the foregoing
description and the accompanying drawings.

Dated this 19th day of August 2010

To
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office
India