Cable-way mobile surveillance camera system

• US 6,339,448 B1
• Filed: 06/03/1999
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory Patrick
• Original Assignee: Gregory Patrick
• Inventors: Patrick, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US09/324,716
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/144, 348/145, 348/146, 348/147, 348/148, 348/149, 348/150, 348/151, 348/152, 348/153, 348/154, 348/155, 348/156, 348/82, 348/83, 348/84, 348/85, 340/425.5, 340/539
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/425 along guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof

Abstract

An unmanned visual monitoring system used outdoors to patrol large expanses of space such as along highways, fences, railroad lines, rivers, borders, beaches, etc. Guidance and support for the unmanned surveillance camera carriage vehicle, as well as the electrical power for its operation, are provided to the carriage and camera by conductive track cables. Spaced superstructures having upright poles and a cantilever extension placed along the track system length act to vertically support the system above the ground. At a remote control center location from the carriage, an operator can control the movement of the vehicle and the operation of the video camera. Operational electrical power for moving the carriage and controlling the camera'"'"'s movement are supplied via power lines connected at different polarities to the track cables of the track system.

Claims

1. An unmanned visual monitoring system comprising:

an elevated track system having a length and adapted to support and guide the movement of a carriage along the track system'"'"'s length, said track system including two separate and spaced rails;

a carriage mounted and movable along said elevated track system, said carriage having its movement along the track system controlled from a remote location;

carriage propelling means fixed to said carriage and remotely controlled to control the movement of said carriage along the length of said track system;

carriage stopping means fixed to said carriage and remotely controlled to stop the movement of said carriage along the length of said track system;

a video camera mounted under said carriage and movable along the track system with said carriage;

means for vertically supporting said elevated track system at distinct separated and spaced locations along the length of the track system; and

electrical power supply means connected to said track system along its length for supplying electrical power to operate the movement of the carriage along the track and to operate the video camera.

2. The visual monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carriage propelling means fixed to said carriage includes a first and a second electrically operated fan motor, said first fan motor having a first rotatably mounted propeller and said second fan motor having a second rotatably mounted propeller, said first propeller being operable to propel the carriage along the track system in one direction that is opposite from the direction the second propeller can propel the carriage along the track system.

3. The visual monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carriage stopping means includes a solenoid actuated braking system having a bar with rubber which can engage the track system.

4. The visual monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said video camera mounted under said carriage has a power zoom lens and image focusing capability that can be remotely operated.

5. The visual monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for vertically supporting said elevated track system includes an electrically insulated upright support with a cantilevered electrically insulated arm member extending therefrom,

said means for vertically supporting said elevated track system also including two track engaging separated extensions that are electrically conductive with different electrical polarities.

6. The visual monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carriage is mounted for movement along said elevated track system by a plurality of track engaging rollers on the carriage, said rollers engaging each of the tracks on both the upper and sides of the track.