Concealed audio-video apparatus for recording conferences and meetings

• US 4,881,135 A
• Filed: 09/23/1988
• Issued: 11/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jordan B. Heilweil
• Original Assignee: Jordan B. Heilweil
• Inventors: Heilweil, Jordan B.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHARDSON, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/248,197
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 358/108, 358/229, 358/335
• US Class Current: 386/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A concealed audio-video apparatus for recording conferences and meetings includes a housing or cabinet that simulate a speaker enclosure of an audio sound system. Contained within the cabinet is a video camera and its microphone, video recorder, power supply and date and time generator. A wireless controller actuates and de-actuates the recording of activities within the field of view of the camera through an opening in the cabinet, and red and green LEDs mounted on the cabinet provide visual feedback to the user of the apparatus whether or not it is recording or is in standby mode.

Claims

1. Concealed audio video apparatus, comprising video recording means for recording video imaged on a portion of said recording means;

a microphone connected to said recording means, said imaging portion of said recording means and microphone being arranged proximate to an area within which a conference or meeting is to take place;

power input means for energizing said video recording means;

enclosure means for housing at least said imaging portion of said video recording means;

remote control means for selectively remotely controlling the operation of said video recording means, said enclosure means permitting recording therethrough while concealing said video recording means housed therein; and

positioning means for positioning said enclosure means to provide a desired imaging field of view of the conference or meeting area, whereby both the video and audio information reflecting the conference or meeting can be recorded by the selective control by one of the parties to the conference or meeting without the knowledge of the other(s) to thereby enable the candid audio and video recordation of the statements and actions taken by the attendees of the conference or meeting.

2. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said video recorder means comprises a video camera and a video recorder.

3. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said power input means comprises a power supply.

4. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said video recording means and said power supply are housed in said enclosure means.

5. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a day and date generator connected to said video recording means to add time and/or date information to the recorded video and audio information.

6. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a monitor connectable to said video recording means which can be used to set up the apparatus and to view the recorded information.

7. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said enclosure means comprises a cabinet one wall of which permits video recordation therethrough.

8. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said cabinet wall is at least partially light transmissive.

9. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said cabinet wall is provided with aperture means to permit transmission of light.

10. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising camouflaging means for camouflaging said aperture means.

11. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said remote control means comprises a wireless remote control.

12. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said enclosure means simulates a cabinet or housing of an audio sound system loudspeaker.

13. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising decoy means which is similar in exterior appearance to said enclosure means to simulate a pair of cabinets of loudspeakers of a stereo sound system.

14. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising visual feedback means for providing a visual indication that said video recording means is activated and is in the recording mode.

15. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said visual feedback means is mounted exteriorily of said enclosure means.

16. Concealed apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said visual feedback means is arranged only to be visible by the party controlling the operation of said recording means.