Mobile Surveillance System

• US 20100110192A1
• Filed: 12/09/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arie Levinkron, Gregory E. Johnston
• Original Assignee: Arie Levinkron, Gregory E. Johnston
• Inventors: JOHNSTON, GREGORY E., LEVINKRON, ARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/634,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20100110192A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus comprising a fully rotatable camera mounted to a vehicle for capturing images, a display-control box having an image display screen and control buttons for controlling said camera and its movement attached to an adjustable mount in said vehicle within an operator'"'"'s view and reach, an image capture box for storage on various recording media or for transmission of said captured mobile images, said captured mobile images are sent by radio frequency transmission to a data storage server for a consumer to access. A preferred embodiment includes further comprising a mount that incorporates a quick disconnect mechanism along with a locking mechanical base and an electronic signal connector for easy camera installation and removal. A preferred embodiment includes further comprising a double locking mechanism where one mechanism is a security fastener.

Claims

1. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus comprising:

a fully rotatable camera attached to a mount assembly that is mounted to a vehicle for capturing mobile images, said fully rotatable camera being achieved by mounting said camera to a tilting mechanism mounted on a panning mechanism;

a display-control box having an image display screen and controls for panning and tilting said camera, said display-control box being attached to an adjustable mount in said vehicle within an operator'"'"'s view and reach;

an image capture box for receiving said captured mobile images.

2. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mount assembly incorporates a quick disconnect mechanism.

3. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a double locking mechanism on said mount assembly where one mechanism is a security fastener.

4. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a water seal attached to said tilting mechanism.

5. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mount assembly is adapted to engage the roof-rack of a vehicle.

6. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a ball-plunger for self-locking said mount assembly.

7. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a security fastener as a secondary and operator activated mechanical locking mechanism for said mount assembly.

8. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a singular support for both said panning mechanism and said tilting mechanism and separate drive gears and slip clutches for both said panning mechanism and said tilting mechanism.

9. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each slip clutch comprises:

a rotationally free gear;

a support housing for gear;

a friction pad co-aligned to said gear between said gear and said support housing;

a wave washer to apply a pressure against said rotationally free gear and said support housing of sufficient force to enable a motor to drive said gear and said support housing to a point where said support housing stops rotating and said rotationally free gear breaks friction of said friction pad while said motor continues to drive without overheating.

10. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a camera enclosure with bezel opening that is threaded to accept optical filters and is sealed with an o-ring for moisture blocking.

11. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a Field of View (FOV) stabilized camera which provides an electronic compensation to overcome mechanical gear backlash and vibration.

12. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said camera may be mounted at any angle with respect to gravity.

13. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a bimetal heat sink for camera power supply temperature control.

14. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said camera enclosure is adapted to act as an additional heat sink.

15. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said camera enclosure incorporates a one-way moisture passage plug with flexible and sealed passage for wires.

16. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display-control box has a set of control buttons positioned to be operated with a single hand.

17. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display-control box has a viewing angle adjustment lever positioned to be operated with said single hand.

18. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an optically clear or tinted sphere enclosing said camera.

19. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mount assembly includes an adapter plate to mate to a light bar used on emergency and patrol guard vehicles.

20. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mount assembly is adaptable to a rail road locomotive attachment.

21. A mobile pan and tilt camera and display-control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mount assembly includes an adapter plate for ship-board attachment.

22. A process for viewing a scene with mobile pan or tilt camera of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

mounting said camera to a vehicle for capturing mobile images;

displaying said captured mobile images on an image display screen;

controlling camera position from within said vehicle;

capturing said captured mobile images in an image capture box for storage and transmission of said captured mobile images; and

transmitting said captured mobile images by radio frequency transmission to a data storage server for further processing; and

providing said captured mobile images on internet server for official or consumer access.