FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a modular device for acquiring images which can be applied, for example but without limitation to the generality, in the entertainment sector for the recording and possible broadcasting of images taken from the point of view of a user wearing such a device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Devices are known for acquiring images having dimensions such that they can be easily carried by a user even during dynamic activities, such as sports activity, with the aim of capturing images from his/her point of view.

Normally, such known devices have rather small dimensions and weight so that they can be attached to the user to prevent the latter from having to manually retain them.

In this context, a first type of device for acquiring images is known, which allow the live broadcasting of the acquired images. The images taken by these first types of devices can be used for live broadcasts, for example live TV or online streaming services. Or, a second type of device is also known which allow the saving of the acquired images in local or remote memory modules.

To maintain compact dimensions and low weight, the first type of device does not usually have the features of the second type of device, and vice versa. This is due to the fact that the electronic components necessary for broadcasting live videos are different from the electronic components necessary for saving videos locally or remotely and their simultaneous presence would lead to dimensions and weight no longer compatible with the dynamic activities described above. In fact, a drawback of the known devices lies in the fact that they have a limited flexibility of use, and are focused only on the live broadcasting of the videos or only on the local saving of the videos. In practice, in order to broadcast the videos live and store them locally or remotely, the user must necessarily obtain two different devices.

There is therefore the need to perfect a device for acquiring images, that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art. In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to realize a device for acquiring images which has a high flexibility of use and which is at the same time compact and lightweight.

Another purpose of the present invention is to realize a device for acquiring images which is suitable for both broadcasting live videos, for broadcasting videos in streaming, and for the storage of videos locally or remotely.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a device according to the present invention for acquiring images comprises at least one sensor module configured to acquire images which is connected to a processing module configured to process said images. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, said device comprises a control unit provided with a control and compression module connected to said processing module and configured to transform said images into a video signal, and with interfacing means communicating with said control and compression module and configured to receive in a removable manner a respective additional module configured to process said video signal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said control and compression module is configured to detect if at least one of said additional modules is associated with at least one of said interfacing means.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said control and compression module comprises a memory in which there is stored at least one computer program suitable to manage the operation of at least one of said additional modules and is also configured to execute said computer program when it detects that at least one of said interfacing means is associated with the additional module associated with said computer program.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said device comprises first interfacing means configured to receive a first additional module and second interfacing means configured to receive a second additional module. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said first additional module is a conversion module configured to transform said video signal into an SDI type signal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said second additional module is a transmission module configured to transmit said video signal to an external user device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said device also comprises local storage means configured to store said video signal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said sensor module comprises a support body made of metallic material and on which there are disposed both a sensor suitable to acquire said images and also a lens.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said device comprises two sensor modules each of which is connected to a respective processing module which in turn is connected to said control and compression module. The present invention further relates to a helmet comprising a device for acquiring images in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a front view of a helmet comprising a device for acquiring images in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a schematic view of a device for acquiring images in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in a first operating condition; - figs. 3 to 7 are schematic views of the device of fig. 2 in further embodiments.

We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to fig. 1, a helmet 50 in accordance with the present invention comprises a device 10 for acquiring images, hereinafter device 10 having at least one sensor module 11 connected to a processing module 12 (figs. 2 to 7) by means of a cable 13.

In the example of figs. 1 to 5, the device 10 comprises two sensor modules 11 each of which is connected to a respective processing module 12 by means of a cable 13. In the example of fig. 6, the device 10 comprises two sensor modules 11 connected to the same processing module 12 by means of a respective cable 13.

In the example of fig. 7, the device 10 comprises four sensor modules 11 and two processing modules 12. In this case, each of the processing modules 12 is connected to two sensor modules 11. Each sensor module 11 is suitable for image acquisition and comprises a support body 15 on which are attached a sensor 16 for acquiring images and a lens 17.

Optionally, an accelerometer 19, or an IMU (Inertial Measurement Sensor) sensor, may be associated with at least one sensor module 11. The accelerometer 19 is preferably aligned with the sensor 16 and is suitable for transmitting to the respective processing module 12 a signal related to the orientation of the sensor module 11 in space. Preferably said signal encodes information related to the orientation of the sensor 16 with respect to the axes X (Yaw), Y (Pitch) and Z (Roll). Said signal can serve a processing of the images acquired by the sensor 11, as will be described hereinafter. For example, said signal can serve the mechanical stabilization of the images, known with the acronym "OIS", which provides for the translation of the lens 17 with respect to the sensor 16 in accordance with said signal.

Alternatively, or additionally, said signal may serve the digital stabilization of the images, known with the acronym "EIS".

Alternatively, or in addition, said signal allows to detect the acceleration, deceleration, rotation and G-force to which the helmet 50 is subjected. Information related to the acceleration, deceleration, rotation and G-force to which the helmet 50 is subjected may be transmitted separately to the images, or directly overlaid thereon.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sensor module 11 may also be associated with a temperature sensor which allows the temperature at the sensor module 11 to be constantly monitored. This is particularly advantageous in that it allows to prevent the sensor module 11 from overheating, especially when it is positioned in proximity of the head of the user of the helmet 50.

Preferably, the sensor 16 is of a type selected among the following: CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), global shutter, SDR, HDR, RGB, MONO, RGB IR.

The support body 15 is preferably made of a metallic material, even more preferably of aluminium. This allows to effectively dissipate the heat which is produced in use by the sensor 16 and possibly also by the accelerometer 19.

The cable 13 is preferably of the flex type, even more preferably of the fpc type, and has a first connector 20 connected to the sensor module 11 and a second connector 21 connected to the processing module 12. The shape of the cable 13 is preferably flat, however it may be of any shape depending on the end use of the device 10.

Optionally, shielding elements 22 configured to improve the signal transmission performance may be associated with the cable 13. Exemplarily, such shielding elements 22 may comprise ferrites or other like, similar or assimilable elements.

Each processing module 12 is configured to process the images coming from the sensor module 11, or sensor modules 11, to which it is connected and to serialize them in order to transmit them to a control unit 14 connected thereto. In particular, the processing module 12 has the function of processing the stream of raw data acquired by the sensor module 11 so as to generate a stream of processed and serialized signals for the control unit 14.

Merely by way of example, the processing of the images by the processing module 12 may provide for converting the images in the colour space necessary for the live broadcasting thereof, for example YUV 4:2:2.

However, the person skilled in the art easily understands that the image processing by the processing module 12 may be of any type, depending on the end use of the images.

The image processing by the processing module 12 may comprise at least one operation selected among the following: colour tone correction, white balance and image exposure, image frame rate reduction, image resizing and cutting (for example depending on the signal transmitted by the accelerometer 19), focus adjustment, automatic flicker detection and adjustment thereof, facial detection, digital zoom, creation of an overlaid display, increase of the dynamic colour range.

In addition, the processing module 12 is further configured to receive an electrical power supply from the control unit 14 and to electrically power the sensor module 11. The processing module 12 and the control unit 14 are preferably connected to each other by a 2-pole cable, preferably of the coaxial type. The transmission of the images and any control data occurs by means of said cable, as well as the supply of the electrical current for the processing module 12.

Optionally, if the sensor module 12 is connected to two sensor modules 11, it may also be configured to mix images coming from the two sensor modules 11 and create a single stream of images to be transmitted to the control unit 14.

Here and hereinafter, "mixing" two streams of images is intended as joining together two images acquired in the same instant from two real points of view which are different from each other so as to create a single image apparently acquired from a point of view which is intermediate to said real points of view.

This can be performed in a known way by means of “Image Stitching”, “Image Mixing” and “Image Overlay” algorithms.

For example, Image Stitching algorithms join images from multiple sensors to produce a panoramic image or a higher-resolution image. This allows to eliminate, or at least reduce, the distortions which occur when two images from two sensors placed in different positions are joined.

The “Image Mixing” algorithms are configured place two or more images side- by-side, even if they are not related to each other. The "Image Overlay" algorithms allow to overlay one or more images, even if they are not related to each other.

The control unit 14 comprises a power supply module 25 to which the one or more processing modules 12 of the device 10 are connected. The power supply module 25 is configured to be connected to an external electrical power source (not depicted), such as a battery or power cable, and to deliver an electrical current to each processing module 12.

The control unit 14 further comprises a control and compression module 23 connected to the power supply module 25 and to the processing modules 12 and configured to manage the power supplied to the latter, as well as the operation thereof.

The control and compression module 23 is also configured for the images transmitted by each processing module 12 so as to compress them and transform the same into a video signal. Optionally, if the control and compression module 23 receives more than one image stream from more than one processing module 12, it may also be configured to mix the image streams so as to create a single video signal.

The control unit 14 further comprises interfacing means 26, 29 configured to receive respective additional modules 27, 30 connectable to said interfacing means 26, 29 in a removable manner.

By way of example, the interfacing means 26, 29 may be of the mechanical, electrical, magnetic or any other known type and may comprise a plurality of electrical pins configured to couple with respective seats present in the respective additional module 27, 30, or vice versa. In the example provided herein, the control unit 14 comprises first interfacing means 26 configured to receive a first additional module 27 and second interfacing means 29 configured to receive a second additional module 30.

The first and the second additional module 27, 30 are also comprised in the device 10, and are configured to be connected in a removable manner to said interfacing means 26, 29.

Both interfacing means 26, 29 are connected to the control and compression module 23 which is also configured to detect the presence of at least one additional module 27, 30 on one of said interfacing means 26, 29. Furthermore, the control and compression module 23 comprises a memory in which are stored a first computer program for adjusting the operation of the first additional module 27 and a second computer program for adjusting the operation of the second additional module 30. The control and compression module 23 is configured to execute the first computer program when it detects the presence of the first additional module 27 on the first interfacing means 26. Furthermore, the control and compression module 23 is configured to execute the second computer program when it detects the presence of the second additional module 30 on the second interfacing means 29.

Exemplarily, the control and compression module 23 is configured to detect the voltage applied to the interfacing means 26, 29 (for example if said interfacing means 26, 29 comprise electrical pins). Preferably, such a detection occurs before the device 10 is switched on. In the example provided herein, the first additional module 27 is a conversion module configured to convert the video signal produced by the control and conversion module 23 into a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) signal.

Optionally, said conversion module is also configured to increase/decrease the resolution, increase/decrease the frame rate, execute a graphical overlay of information on the images, execute an EIS stabilization, execute an Image Overlay algorithm, execute an Image Stitching algorithm, execute an Image Mixing algorithm and/or compress the images.

Said conversion module allows to process the video signals to make them available to an external user in a standard format suitable for the professional broadcasting of live images. Said conversion module may be advantageously associated with the device 10 if the images acquired by the same must be broadcast live.

Said conversion module may also comprise a connector for a coaxial type cable for the transmission of said SDI type signal. Furthermore, in the example provided herein, the second module 30 is a transmission module configured to transmit a video signal in wireless mode. Said transmission module may comprise communication means configured to transmit data by means of 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G technology or other similar or assimilable technologies.

Said transmission module may transmit the video signal produced by the control and compression module 23, or the video signal produced by said conversion module, to an external user disposed also far from the device 10. It should be noted that the additional modules 27, 30 are not necessary for the operation of the device 10 and, furthermore, they may be associated with the respective interfacing means 26, 29 independently of each other.

Therefore, the device 10 may therefore assume at least four different configurations from each other, which may be selected by a user depending on the end use.

In a first configuration, the interfacing means 26, 29 are not associated with additional modules 27, 30 and the control unit 14 comprises only the power supply module 25 and the control and compression module 23.

Said first configuration is advantageous in applications in which live image broadcasting is not required, but only local image recording and viewing is required.

In a second configuration, only the first additional module 27 is associated with the interfacing means 26, 29.

Said second configuration is particularly advantageous in applications in which live image broadcasting is required, preferably in cases in which the live image broadcasting occurs by means of a physical cable.

In a third configuration, only the second additional module 30 is associated with the interfacing means 26, 29.

Said third configuration is particularly advantageous in applications in which live image broadcasting is required, preferably in cases in which the live image broadcasting occurs by means of 5g, or 4g, or 3g, or 2g data connection.

In a fourth configuration, the first additional module 27 is associated with the first interfacing means 26 and only the second additional module 30 is associated with the second interfacing means 29. Said fourth configuration is particularly advantageous in applications in which live image broadcasting is required and in which it is necessary, for example, to increase the number of sensor modules 11 which may be broadcast live and/or execute backups of the images in the event of problems with said conversion module or said transmission module.

Optionally, the control unit 14 also comprises local storage means (not depicted) on which the video signal produced by the control and compression module 23, or by said conversion module, may be stored. Exemplarily, the storage means comprises a local fixed memory or reading means configured to read external physical memories, for example of SD, microSD, miniSD type or the like.

With reference to fig. 1, the helmet 50 comprises an external structure defined by a shell 51 and at least one padding 52 disposed inside the shell 51. The shell 51 comprises a front aperture 53 (fig. 1) normally positioned at the eye level of a user wearing the helmet 50. Said front aperture 53 is symmetrical with respect to a plane P of symmetry of the shell 51 and has a perimeter 54 having two substantially horizontal sides 54a and two substantially vertical sides 54b. It is readily understood by the person skilled in the art that the two substantially horizontal sides 54a may not be perfectly horizontal and may comprise curved or inclined sections. Likewise, the person skilled in the art also understands that the substantially vertical sides 54b may not be perfectly vertical and may comprise curved or inclined sections.

The padding 52 comprises one or more layers of materials that are even different from each other and has an external surface 55 (figs. 2 to 5) turned towards the shell 51 and an internal surface 56 turned towards the helmet 50. The padding 52 has a thickness T1 that cannot be inconstant throughout its extension and is defined by the minimum distance separating a certain point of the internal surface 56 from the external surface 55. The padding 52 is interrupted at the front aperture 53 and comprises at least one front portion 57 (figs. 2 and 3), which joins the internal surface 56 and the external surface 55, and which is next to at least one portion of said perimeter 54.

In this case, the padding 52 comprises a first front portion 57a side by side with a first vertical side 54b of the front aperture 53 and a second front portion 57b side by side with a second vertical side 54b of the front aperture 53 symmetrically to the first front portion 57a with respect to said plane P.

Furthermore, the device 10 is inserted inside the helmet 50 and comprises at least two sensor modules 11, each of which is on the padding 52. In the example of fig. 1, a first sensor module 1 la is disposed on the first front portion 57a and a second sensor module 11b is positioned on the second front portion 57b.

This allows to position a sensor module 11 to the right of the user's head and another sensor module 11 to the left of the head of user of the helmet 50.

Advantageously, in is thereby possible to acquire the images from two points of view and mix the same to create a video having a point of view apparently positioned on the plane P of symmetry, while maintaining a high safety level for the user. In other possible embodiments, two sensor modules 11 can be positioned side by side on one of said front portions 57a, 57b.

Exemplarily, such a solution may be used if it is required for the resolution of the images to be digitally increased.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the device 10 and to the helmet 50 described heretofore, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of modular device for acquiring images and helmet comprising the same, having the features expressed in the claims and therefore all of which falling within the scope of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.