Visual and audible surveillance system, using CATV cable plant distribution equipment, that enables the public to monitor, on television receivers, "at risk" areas or facilities 24 hours per day 7 days per week

• US 20040233281A1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vincent Ronald Tolmei
• Original Assignee: Vincent Ronald Tolmei
• Inventors: Tolmei, Vincent Ronald
• Application Number:
  US10/441,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233281A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/196 using television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

The use of television receivers, and CATV cable plants as a means of distribution, to provide 24 hours per day 7 days per week (24×7) surveillance of “at risk” areas, or facilities, that can be viewed by the public is presented. The system enables hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of local area residents with television receivers to view areas or facilities, such as public utilities, water processing plants, reservoirs, electrical substations, communication sites or parks, that are often subject to attacks of terrorism child molestation, vandalism, theft and the like. The areas can be viewed 24×7 by simply selecting a channel on a television receiver or by simultaneously observing the area with a picture in picture (PIP) display on television receivers with that capability. This gives law enforcement the eyes and ears of television'"'"'s entire viewing audience 24. hours a day 7 days a week with instant reporting of “at risk” events before or as they occur.

Claims

1. :

A plurality of visual, acoustical or electromechanical surveillance equipment using cable television (CATV) plant distribution means and equipment comprising in combination of;

radio frequency modulators, radio frequency combiners, CATV line extenders, bi-directional distribution amplifiers, video cameras with various spectral responses, microphones, cables, power supplies, television and special processing receivers, with or without picture-in-picture (PIP) capabilities, and associated electromechanical equipment whose primary function in combination is surveillance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the video cameras with various spectral responses and acoustical collection sources may be connected to the RF modulators, combiners, line amplifiers, and distribution amplifiers via cable, optics, or other communication means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the RF modulator is capable of modulating video and acoustical sources into a combined signal suitable for insertion into CATV signal combiner, or other carrier, for reception by television receiving equipment used for viewing or processing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the combiner combines incoming CATV broadband signals with the output of an RF surveillance modulator whose inputs are video and audio signals from cameras and acoustical sources that are surveying selected sites.