Illuminated yard sign with wide-angle security camera and communication module for use with audio/video recording and communication devices

• US 10,142,542 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2017
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bracy, Hunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Leon-Viet
• Application Number:
  US15/724,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20180103200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19628 of wide angled cameras and camera groups, e.g. omni-directional cameras, fish eye, single units having multiple cameras achieving a wide angle view
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/054 photographing overspeeding vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/005 Illumination controller or illuminated signs including an illumination control system
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0413 Frames or casing structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/004 Displays including an emergency or alarm message
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1895 for short real-time information, e.g. alarms, notifications, alerts, updates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

Embodiments of the present illuminated sign may comprise a front panel having text that indicates that an area adjacent the illuminated sign is protected by video surveillance, an illumination source located behind the front panel, a camera, a communication module configured to receive and transmit wireless communication signals, and a power source providing power to the illumination source, the camera, and the communication module. The camera may comprise a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera, or an omnidirectional camera.

Claims

1. An illuminated sign comprising:

a first panel, the first panel including a translucent portion that includes text;

a second panel;

a frame that includes a first opening at a first side of the frame and a second opening at a second side of the frame, the first side being opposite to the second side, and the first opening receiving the first panel and the second opening receiving the second panel;

an illumination source located along at least a portion of a perimeter of the frame, the illumination source emitting light, the text causing at least a portion of the light to cease from transmitting through the first panel;

a first camera disposed at an opening of the first panel;

a second camera disposed at an opening of the second panel;

a communication component;

a power source providing power to the illumination source, the first camera, the second camera, and the communication module;

one or more processors; and

one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising;

detecting an object using the first camera; and

based at least in part on the detecting of the object, causing the second camera to capture at least an image.

2. The illuminated sign of claim 1, wherein the first camera comprises at least one of a digital video camera or an omnidirectional camera.

3. The illuminated sign of claim 1, wherein the first camera has a field of view of at least 270 degrees.

4. The illuminated sign of claim 1, wherein the frame receives an outer edge of the first panel, and wherein the first camera is located along an uppermost edge of the frame.

5. The illuminated sign of claim 1, wherein:

the image is a first image;

the first camera is oriented in a first plane generally parallel to a plane defined by the first panel and pointed such that the first camera captures at least a second image; and

the second camera is oriented in a second plane generally parallel to the plane defined by the first panel.

6. The illuminated sign of claim 5, the one or more computer-readable media storing further instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising generating a panoramic image using the second image captured by the first camera and the first image captured by the second camera.

7. The illuminated sign of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

8. The illuminated sign of claim 7, further comprising at least one solar panel for recharging the rechargeable battery.

9. The illuminated sign of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor.

10. The illuminated sign of claim 9 wherein the motion sensor comprises a passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

11. The illuminated sign of claim 1, further comprising a speaker configured to play audio.

12. The illuminated sign of claim 1, further comprising a guard mounted around a lens of the first camera, wherein the guard shields the lens from direct exposure to the light.

13. The illuminated sign of claim 1, wherein the translucent portion is a first translucent portion and the text is first text, and wherein the first panel further includes:

a second translucent portion that includes second text; and

a third translucent portion that includes third text.

14. The illuminated sign of claim 1, further comprising a reflective material disposed on the second panel, wherein the reflective material reflects an additional portion of the light towards the first panel.

15. The illuminated sign of claim 1, further comprising a stake attached to the frame, wherein the stake includes a plurality of ribs.

16. The illuminating sign of claim 1, the one or more computer-readable media storing further instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

determining a speed associated with the object;

determining that the speed exceeds a threshold speed; and

based at least in part on the speed exceeding the threshold speed, transmitting, using the communication component, data representing the speed to an electronic device.

17. A device comprising:

a first panel, the first panel including a translucent portion that includes text;

a second panel;

a frame that includes a first opening at a first side of the frame and a second opening at a second side of the frame, the first side being opposite to the second side, and the first opening receiving the first panel and the second opening receiving the second panel;

an illumination source located along at least a portion of a perimeter of the frame, the illumination source emitting light, the text causing at least a portion of the light to cease from transmitting through the first panel;

a first camera disposed at an opening of the first panel;

a second camera disposed at an opening of the second panel;

a communication component;

a power source providing power to the illumination source, the first camera, the second camera, and the communication module;

one or more processors; and

one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising;

detecting an object using the first camera; and

based at least in part on the detecting of the object, causing the second camera to capture at least an image.