Infrared surveillance system with controlled video recording

• US 5,825,413 A
• Filed: 11/01/1995
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Mullis, Phillip Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIN, LUANNE PAN
• Application Number:
  US08/551,466
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 348/211, 348/212, 348/213, 348/214, 348/154, 348/155, 359/143, 359/144, 359/148, 359/152, 359/169, 359/170, 359/172, 340/567, 250/342
• US Class Current: 348/155
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means

Abstract

A surveillance system comprises an infrared motion detector which generates a signal indicative of detected motion. An infrared signal reflecting surface directs an incident infrared signal to the infrared motion detector. A generator generates an infrared remote control encoded data responsive to the signal indicative of detected motion. An infrared emitter is coupled to the generator for modulation by the infrared remote control encoded data. A modulated infrared signal from the infrared emitter is directed to the infrared signal reflecting surface for transmission. In the surveillance system described, battery powered operating time is extended by powering only the motion detector during periods of inactivity. Recording media usage is conserved by only recording periods of detected motion and may be further conserved by recording only predetermined frames.

Claims

1. A surveillance system, comprising:

an infrared motion detector generating a signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared signal reflecting surface for directing an incident infrared signal to said infrared motion detector;

a generator generating infrared remote control encoded data responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared emitter coupled to said generator for modulation by said infrared remote control encoded data; and

,

a modulated infrared signal from said infrared emitter being directed to said infrared signal reflecting surface for transmission.

2. The surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said infrared signal reflecting surface has a generally parabolic shape.

3. The surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said infrared signal reflecting surface receives an incident infrared signal emanating multi-directionally about the reflector.

4. The surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said infrared signal reflecting surface transmits said modulated infrared signal multi-directionally about the reflector.

5. The surveillance system claim 1, additionally comprises a receiver for receiving an infrared remote control encoded data signal incident on said reflecting surface.

6. The surveillance system of claim 5, wherein said receiver is activated responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion.

7. The surveillance system of claim 6, wherein said receiver generates a control signal responsive to said infrared remote control encoded data signal.

8. The surveillance system of claim 7, wherein said control signal controls operation of said infrared motion detector.

9. The surveillance system of claim 1, additionally comprises an RF carrier generator modulated for transmission by said infrared remote control encoded data.

10. The surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said infrared signal reflecting surface is formed as an outer surface of a hollow cone.

11. The surveillance system of claim 10, wherein said outer surface of said hollow cone comprises a plurality of substantially parabolically shaped panels.

12. The surveillance system of claim 10, wherein said hollow cone is sealed at a smaller diameter end.

13. The surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said motion sensing control unit is covered by an infrared transparent container to provide disguise.

14. The surveillance system of claim 1, wherein an infrared sensor is positioned adjacent to said infrared signal reflecting surface to receive infrared emissions.

15. The surveillance system of claim 1, wherein an infrared emitter is positioned adjacent to said infrared signal reflecting surface for infrared transmission.

16. A surveillance system, comprising:

an infrared motion detector generating a signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared signal reflecting surface for directing an incident infrared signal to said infrared motion detector;

a generator generating infrared remote control encoded data responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared emitter modulated by said infrared remote control encoded data and directed towards said infrared signal reflecting surface for transmission; and

,

an imaging means responsive to said transmitted modulated infrared signal.

17. A surveillance system, comprising:

an infrared signal reflecting surface for directing an incident infrared signal;

an infrared motion detector for receiving from said reflecting surface said incident infrared signal and generating a signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared receiver activated responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion for receiving from said reflecting surface an incident infrared remote control encoded data signal specific to said receiver;

a generator generating remote control encoded data responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared emitter coupled to said generator for modulation by said remote control encoded data and emitting a modulated infrared signal directed to said infrared signal reflecting surface for transmission; and

,

said receiver generating a control signal for terminating motion detection by said infrared motion detector responsive to said receiver specific remote control encoded data signal.

18. A surveillance system, comprising:

an infrared signal reflecting surface for directing an incident infrared signal;

an infrared motion detector for receiving from said reflecting surface said incident infrared signal and generating a signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared receiver activated responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion for receiving from said reflecting surface an incident infrared remote control encoded data signal specific to said receiver;

a generator generating remote control encoded data responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared emitter coupled to said generator for modulation by said remote control encoded data and emitting a modulated infrared signal directed to said infrared signal reflecting surface for transmission; and

,

said receiver generating a control signal for terminating power dissipation by said infrared motion detector responsive to said receiver specific remote control encoded data signal.

19. A surveillance system, comprising:

an infrared signal reflecting surface for directing an incident infrared signal;

an infrared motion detector for receiving from said reflecting surface said incident infrared signal and generating a signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared receiver activated responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion for receiving from said reflecting surface an incident infrared remote control encoded data signal specific to said receiver;

a generator generating remote control encoded data responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared emitter coupled to said generator for modulation by said remote control encoded data and emitting a modulated infrared signal directed to said infrared signal reflecting surface for transmission; and

,

responsive to said receiver specific remote control encoded data signal, said receiver controllably terminating power dissipation by said surveillance system and sustaining receiver power dissipation.

20. A surveillance system, comprising:

an infrared motion detector generating a signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared signal reflecting surface for directing an incident infrared signal to said infrared motion detector;

a generator generating infrared remote control encoded data responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion;

an imaging means responsive to a transmitted modulated infrared signal; and

,

a plurality of infrared emitters modulated by said infrared remote control encoded data and directed towards said infrared signal reflecting surface for transmitting said transmitted modulated infrared signal, wherein said infrared remote control encoded data modulates said plurality of infrared emitters in a predetermined sequence.

21. A surveillance system, comprising:

an infrared motion detector generating a signal indicative of detected motion;

an infrared signal reflecting surface for directing a n incident infrared signal to said infrared motion detector;

a generator generating infrared remote control encoded data responsive to said signal indicative of detected motion;

an imaging means responsive to a transmitted modulated infrared signal; and

,

a plurality of infrared emitters positioned adjacent said infrared signal reflecting surface and directed towards said infrared signal reflecting surface for transmitting said transmitted modulated infrared signal, said infrared remote control encoded data modulating said plurality of infrared emitters in a predetermined sequence for sequential transmission in a plurality of directions.