TEMPORARY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

• US 20070248352A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Wesselink, Paul, Fredrick, Stephen, Wesselink, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,429,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19623 Arrangements allowing camera linear motion, e.g. camera moving along a rail cable or track
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A surveillance system is provided including a platform having a plurality and variety of cameras or sensors mounted thereto, and a base enclosure adapted to accommodate a power supply, a variety of electronics and other equipment for controlling and providing power to the surveillance equipment. The base is constructed to be tamper resistant and immovable by manual means. A substantially hollow support pole includes a lower portion detachably mounted to the base, and an upper portion mounted to the platform. Wires and cables for connecting the surveillance equipment with the electronics and power supply are run through the support pole. Power to the system may be supplied through existing power sources, for example a 120V power source.

Claims

1. A transportable unmanned surveillance system comprising:

a base configured to maintain the transportable unmanned surveillance system in an upright freestanding position and to substantially prevent movement of the base by hand, the base having an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot.

a camera positioned above the base at a height sufficient to put the camera substantially out of reach of a person who may want to tamper with the camera, the camera configured to obtain video data of objects in the vicinity of the surveillance system; and

a recorder in communication with the camera, the recorder configured to record the video data obtained by the camera without human intervention during ongoing surveillance.

2. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, further comprising a support pole having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the support pole coupled to the base and the upper portion coupled to the camera.

3. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 2, further comprising an enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access.

4. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 3, wherein the enclosure is positioned within the base.

5. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 3, wherein the enclosure is positioned above the base.

6. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 5, wherein the enclosure is coupled to the support pole.

7. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the recorder is in wireless communication with the camera.

8. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 7, wherein the recorder is in wireless communication with the camera to transmit video data via satellite transmissions.

9. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 7, wherein the recorder is in wireless communication with the camera to transmit video data via cell phone applications.

10. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 2, further comprising a communications line coupling the camera and the recorder to transmit the video data between the camera and the recorder, the communications line configured to protect the transmission of video data from unauthorized disruption by a person who may want to tamper with the transmission of video data.

11. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 10, wherein the communications line comprises a cable positioned substantially out of reach of a person who may want to tamper with the transmission of video data.

12. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 11, wherein the communications line comprises a cable positioned within a hollow portion of the support pole.

13. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 2, further comprising a power line configured to transmit power to at least one of the recorder and the camera, the power line configured to protect the transmission of power from unauthorized disruption by a person who may want to tamper with the transmission of power.

14. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 13, wherein the power line comprises a wire positioned substantially out of reach of a person who may want to tamper with the transmission of power.

15. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the power line comprises a wire positioned within a hollow portion of the support pole.

16. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the surveillance system is powered by an electrical connection to a power pole.

17. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 50 pounds per cubic foot.

18. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 17, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 100 pounds per cubic foot.

19. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises concrete.

20. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the base weighs more than about 1000 pounds.

21. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, further comprising a support structure coupled to the base and extending upwardly, wherein the camera is coupled to the support structure.

22. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 21, wherein the support structure is detachably mounted to the base.

23. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the height sufficient to put the camera substantially out of reach of a person who may want to tamper with the camera is about 25 feet high.

24. A method of providing an unmanned transportable surveillance system in an area to be monitored, the transportable surveillance system having a base, at least one camera, a support pole, and a recorder, the method comprising:

transporting the base, camera, support pole and recorder to the area to be monitored, wherein the base and the support pole are transported to the area in separate pieces;

positioning the camera above the base with the support pole extending therebetween;

positioning the camera to obtain visual images of the area to be monitored; and

recording the images without human intervention during ongoing surveillance with an image receiver.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing power to the camera such that the transmission of power is substantially protected from unauthorized disruption by a person who may want to tamper with the power transmission.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing power to the camera via an electrical connection with a power pole.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising accessing the recorder within a secure enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access.

28. An unmanned portable surveillance system comprising:

means for supporting the unmanned portable surveillance system in an upright freestanding position such that movement of the surveillance system by hand is substantially prevented;

a camera for providing video data of an area in a vicinity of the surveillance system, the camera positioned above the means for supporting the surveillance system such that the camera is protected from a person who may want to interrupt the provision of video data; and

electronics equipment in communication with the camera and configured for receiving video data of the area in the vicinity of the surveillance system for authorized review.

29. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, additionally comprising means for securing the electronics equipment from unauthorized access.

30. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, additionally comprising means for securely powering the surveillance system.

31. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, wherein the electronics equipment is in wireless communication with the camera.

32. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 31, wherein the electronics equipment is in wireless communication with the camera via satellite transmissions.

33. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 31, wherein the electronics equipment is in wireless communication with the camera via cell phone applications.