TEMPORARY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

• US 20080211905A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Wesselink, Richard H., Wesselink, Paul J., Brown, Stephen Fredrick
• Application Number:
  US11/769,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211905A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• 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 surveillance system comprising:

a base shaped to be placed on a reasonably flat surface, the base having sufficient weight to prevent movement of the transportable surveillance system by hand;

a support pole coupled to the base;

a plurality of cameras coupled with the support pole;

a recorder configured to receive visual images obtained from the plurality of cameras; and

a power line configured to transmit power to at least one of the recorder and the plurality of cameras, the power line configured to substantially prevent unauthorized disruption of power by a person who may want to tamper with the power transmission.

2. The transportable surveillance system of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access, wherein the enclosure is positioned within the base.

3. The transportable surveillance system of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access, wherein the enclosure is coupled to the support pole above the base.

4. The transportable surveillance system of claim 1, further comprising a communications channel coupling the plurality of cameras and the recorder to transmit the visual images between the plurality of cameras and the recorder, the communications channel configured to protect the transmission of visual images from unauthorized disruption by a person who may want to tamper with the transmission of visual images.

5. The transportable surveillance system of claim 1, 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.

6. The transportable surveillance system of claim 5, wherein the power line comprises a wire positioned within a hollow portion of the support pole.

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

8. The transportable surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot.

9. An unmanned portable surveillance system, the system comprising:

a base configured to support the unmanned portable surveillance system in an upright freestanding position and having a weight sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the base by hand;

a camera positioned above the base at a height sufficient to put it substantially out of reach of a person who may want to tamper with the camera, the camera configured to obtain visual images of objects in the vicinity of the base;

electronics equipment in communication with the camera and configured to receive visual images obtained by the camera without human intervention during ongoing surveillance; and

a communications medium coupling the camera and the electronics equipment so as to transmit the visual images between the camera and the electronics equipment, the communications medium configured to substantially prevent unauthorized disruption of transmissions of visual images by a person who may want to tamper with the transmissions.

10. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, 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, and further comprising an enclosure configured to protect the electronics equipment from unauthorized access, wherein the electronics equipment is positioned within the enclosure and wherein the enclosure is positioned above the base and coupled to the support pole.

11. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, further comprising an enclosure configured to protect the electronics equipment from unauthorized access, wherein the electronics equipment is positioned within the enclosure and wherein the enclosure is positioned within the base.

12. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, wherein the communications medium comprises a cable positioned substantially out of reach of a person who may want to tamper with the transmission of visual images.

13. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, wherein the communications medium comprises a cable positioned within a hollow portion of a support pole, the 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.

14. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, further comprising a power line configured to transmit power to at least one of the camera and the electronics equipment, 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.

15. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, wherein the surveillance system is powered by an electrical connection to a power pole.

16. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot.

17. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 9, wherein the electronics equipment comprises a recorder.

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

providing the transportable base, the camera, and the support pole at an area to be monitored such that the camera is positioned above the base with the support pole extending therebetween, the transportable base having an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot;

obtaining video data of the area to be monitored using the camera;

transmitting video data of the area to be monitored via a secure communications channel to electronics equipment configured to receive video data, the electronics equipment being spaced from the camera and configured to record video data without human intervention during ongoing surveillance.

19. The method of claim 18, 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.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing power to the camera via an electrical connection with a power pole.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising transporting the base and the support pole to the area in separate pieces.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising accessing the electronics equipment within a secure enclosure configured to protect the electronics equipment from unauthorized access.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising reviewing the video data recorded by the electronics equipment.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the video data of the area to be monitored comprises video data of a construction site.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronics equipment is positioned within the base.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronics equipment is positioned above the base.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronics equipment is supported by the support pole.

28. An unmanned portable surveillance system, the system comprising:

a base configured to support the unmanned portable surveillance system in an upright freestanding position and having a weight sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the base by hand;

a camera positioned above the base at a height sufficient to put it 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 base;

electronics equipment in wireless communication with the camera and configured to receive video data obtained by the camera without human intervention during ongoing surveillance, such that video data is transmitted between the camera and the electronics equipment so as to substantially prevent unauthorized disruption of transmissions of video data by a person who may want to tamper with the transmissions.

29. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, 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.

30. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, further comprising an enclosure configured to protect the electronics equipment from unauthorized access, wherein the electronics equipment is positioned within the enclosure.

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

32. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, wherein the electronics equipment is in wireless communication with the camera via cell phone applications.

33. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, wherein the surveillance system is powered by an electrical connection to a power pole.

34. The unmanned portable surveillance system of claim 28, wherein the electronics equipment comprises a recorder.