Environmental cameras

• US 20020149680A1
• Filed: 02/11/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hunter, Andrew Arthur, Hall, Glenn Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,042,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/208.14
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

An image capture detection system including a short range radio transmitter (13) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (12) installed in or on an image capture device (10). The system further comprises a remote detection unit (14) also comprising a short range radio transmitter (18) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (16). In use, the remote detection unit (14) transmits intermittent query signals (22) which are received by the receiver (12) in the image capture device (10) when the remote detection unit (14) is within a predetermined distance or range thereof. In response to receipt of the query signals (22), the transmitter (13) in the image capture device (10) is arranged to transmit an indicator signal (24) which is received by the remote detection unit (14). The remote detection unit (14) is arranged to generate a warning signal in response to receipt of the indicator signal ((24).

Claims

1. ) an image capture device detection system, comprising indicator unit arranged to be installed in or on an image capture device, said indicator unit being configured to emit an indicator signal in response to an external stimulus to indicate the presence of said image capture device.

2. ) A detection system according to claim 1, in which said indicator signal is an electronic signal.

3. ) A detection system according to claim 2, in which electronic indicator signal is emitted periodically.

4. ) A detection system according to claim 2, in which electronic indicator signal is emitted continuously.

5. ) A detection system according to claim 1, in which said indicator signal is an audible signal.

6. ) A detection system according to claim 1, in which said indicator signal is a visible signal.

7. ) A detection system according to claim 1, comprising a sensor for detecting said external stimulus signal.

8. ) A detection system according to claim 7, in which the sensor is a motion sensor.

9. ) A detection system according to claim 7, in which the sensor is an acoustic sensor.

10. ) A detection system according to claim 1, further comprising a remote detection unit arranged to transmit a query signal, a receiver in or on said image capture device arranged to receive said query signal when said remote detection unit is within a predetermined distance thereof, said indicator unit being arranged to emit said indicator signal, in response to receipt of said query signal.

11. ) A detection system according to claim 10, wherein said remote detection unit transmits said query signal periodically.

12. ) A detection system according to claim 10, wherein said remote detection unit comprises a transducer, said query signal being transmitted in response to the output of the transducer.

13. ) A detection system according to claim 10, wherein said indicator unit transmits an indicator signal in response to receipt of said query signal, said remote detection unit including a receiver for receiving said indicator signal.

14. ) A detection system according to claim 1, in which the indicator unit comprises a transmitter arranged to transmit said indicator signal, the system further comprising a remote detection unit including a receiver arranged to receive said indicator signal when said remote detection unit is within a predetermined distance or range of said image capture device.

15. ) A detection system according to claim 13 or claim 14, in which the detection unit comprises an alarm arranged, in response to receipt of said indication signal, to actuate a warning device to alert a user to the presence of the image capture device.

16. ) A detection system according to claim 14, wherein said indicator unit comprises a short range radio transmitter for transmitting a radio signal, and said remote detection unit comprises a radio receiver and decoder for receiving and decoding said radio signal when said remote detection unit is within a predetermined distance or range of said image capture device.

17. ) A detection system according to claim 14, wherein said indicator unit comprises an infra-red transmitter for transmitting an infra-red signal, and said remote detection unit comprises an infra-red receiver for receiving an infra-red signal when said remote detection unit is within the field of view of said image capture device.

18. ) A detection system according to claim 14, wherein said indicator signal transmitted by said indicator unit includes information identifying the image capture device.

19. ) A detection system according to claim 14, wherein said indicator signal transmitted by said indicator unit includes information indicating the capabilities of the image capture device.

20. ) A detection system according to claim 14, wherein said indicator signal transmitted by said indicator unit includes information indicating the status of the image capture device.

21. ) A detection system according to claim 14, wherein said indicator signal transmitted by said indicator unit includes information indicating details of the person or entity responsible for the image capture device.

22. ) A detection system according to claim 14, wherein said indicator signal transmitted by said indicator unit includes information indicating details of the people or groups of people authorized to access images captured by the image capture device.

23. ) A detection system according to any of claims 18 to 22, in which the detection unit comprises an alarm arranged, in response to receipt of said indication signal, to actuate a warning device to alert a user to the presence of the image capture device, actuation of the alarm being dependent upon said information included in the signal transmitted by said indicator unit.

24. ) A detection system according to any of claims 18 to 22, in which said remote detection unit comprises a display for displaying at least some of the information included in said indicator signal received from said indicator unit.

25. ) A detection system according to any of claims 18 to 22, in which said remote detection unit comprises a storage device for storing at least some of the information included in said indicator signal received from said indicator unit.

26. ) An image capture device including an indicator unit configured to emit an indicator signal in response to an external stimulus to indicate the presence of said image capture device.