PORTABLE CAMERA AND SURVEILLANCE DEVICE

• US 20100277591A1
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jerry Kowalsky
• Original Assignee: Jerry Kowalsky
• Inventors: KOWALSKY, JERRY
• Application Number:
  US12/432,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20100277591A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/158
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

The invention is a portable camera and surveillance device adapted to attach to a plurality of distinct support structures and transmit an image signal. More particularly, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing including a universal connector capable of securely attaching to a plurality of distinct support structures, an image-capturing element disposed within the housing, wherein the image-capturing element is adapted to generate an image signal in response to detecting electromagnetic energy, and a transmitter disposed within the housing, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the image signal. Distinct support structures may include a pole, weapon, helmet, or other device adapted to receive a universal connector.

Claims

1. A portable camera, comprising:

a housing including a universal connector capable of securely attaching to a plurality of distinct support structures;

an image-capturing element disposed within the housing, wherein the image-capturing element is adapted to generate an image signal in response to detecting electromagnetic energy; and

a transmitter disposed within the housing, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the image signal.

2. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein one of the distinct support structures comprises a pole.

3. The portable camera of claim 2, wherein the pole is extendable and retractable.

4. The portable camera of claim 2, wherein the housing is adapted to pivotally attach to the pole.

5. The portable camera of claim 4, wherein the housing is adapted to pivotally attach to the pole by the universal connector attaching to an intermediary device that is pivotally coupled to the pole.

6. The portable camera of claim 5, wherein the intermediary device comprises a rotator situated within a groove of the pole.

7. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein one of the distinct support structures comprises a weapon.

8. The portable camera of claim 7, wherein the weapon comprises a rifle.

9. The portable camera of claim 7, wherein the weapon comprises a handgun.

10. The portable camera of claim 7, wherein the weapon comprises a shotgun.

11. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of universal connectors at different positions on the housing.

12. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an audio recording component.

13. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein one of the distinct support structures comprises a helmet.

14. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein the universal connector comprises a picatinny universal mount.

15. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein the universal connector comprises a first rail adapted to slide upon a corresponding second rail on the support structure, and a locking mechanism to securely attach the first and second rails together.

16. The portable camera of claim 1, further comprising a power source adapted to supply power to the image-capturing element and the transmitter.

17. The portable camera of claim 16, wherein the power source is disposed within the housing.

18. The portable camera of claim 1, further comprising a light source.

19. The portable camera of claim 18, wherein the light source is disposed within the housing.

20. The portable camera of claim 1, wherein the image-capturing element is adapted to produce still- or moving-images at a variety of wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum.

21. A law enforcement aid comprising:

an extendable and retractable pole; and

a portable camera, comprising;

a housing including a universal connector for securely attaching to the pole;

an image-capturing element disposed within the housing, wherein the image-capturing element is adapted to generate an image signal in response to detecting electromagnetic energy; and

a transmitter disposed within the housing, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the image signal.

22. The law enforcement aid of claim 21, wherein the housing is adapted to mount at an end portion of the pole.

23. The law enforcement aid of claim 21, further comprising a strap adapted to mount at a distal and a proximal end of the pole.

24. A law enforcement aid comprising:

a weapon; and

a portable camera, comprising;

a housing including a universal connector for securely attaching to the weapon;

an image-capturing element disposed within the housing, wherein the image-capturing element is adapted to generate an image signal in response to detecting electromagnetic energy; and

a transmitter disposed within the housing, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the image signal.

25. The law enforcement aid of claim 24, wherein the weapon comprises a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or other type of firearm.

26. A camera surveillance system comprising:

a plurality of portable cameras, each comprising;

a housing including a universal connector capable of securely attaching to a plurality of distinct support structures;

an image-capturing element disposed within the housing, wherein the image-capturing element is adapted to generate an image signal in response to detecting electromagnetic energy; and

a transmitter disposed within the housing, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the image signal, and a portable receiver adapted to receive the image signal from each of the cameras, and provide a corresponding image on a display.

27. The camera surveillance system of claim 26, wherein the portable receiver simultaneously displays a plurality of images from respective cameras.

28. The camera surveillance system of claim 26, wherein the portable receiver includes a microphone, audio processor, and transmitter for audio communication and transmission.

29. The camera surveillance system of claim 26, further comprising a plurality of portable receivers, wherein each of the portable receivers are adapted to receive image signal from each of the cameras, and provide a corresponding image on a corresponding display.