Method for viewing through tinted windows

• US 6,611,200 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2001
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Department of The Air Force (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Dodd, Patrick R., Pressnall, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/682,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20030063192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426.1, 340/426.24, 340/426.26, 348/61, 348/73, 348/82, 348/158, 600/109, 600/112
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle

Abstract

A method for the undetected surveillance of structures or vehicles in low light or night time conditions by illuminating the interior with a near infrared light source and viewing the illuminated scene with a standard video camera/monitor.

Claims

1. A method for the undetected surveillance of the interior of structures or vehicles with tinted windows, the method comprising:

illuminating the interior of said structures or vehicles through their tinted windows using a standard spotlight covered by a near infrared light filter;

viewing the near infrared illuminated interior of said structures or vehicles using a standard video camera transmitting directly to a standard video monitor; and

varying the view of said video camera by manually adjusting a zoom lens mounted on said video camera;

wherein

changing the light filter dependent on the range of infrared frequencies filters out by the tinted windows, whereby

near infrared light emitted by the spotlight and the light filter would pass through the tinted windows.

2. A method for the undetected surveillance of the interior of a motor vehicle with tinted windows, the method comprising:

illuminating the interior of said motor vehicle through its tinted windows using a standard spotlight covered by a near infrared light filter;

viewing the near infrared illuminated interior of said motor vehicle using a standard video camera transmitting directly to a standard video monitor; and

changing the light filter dependent on the range of infrared frequencies filtered out by the tintied windows, whereby

near infrared light emitted by the spotlight and the light filter passes through the tinted windows.

3. An assembly adaptable for mounting on a vehicle for viewing an object located behind a tinted window, comprising:

a light source for emitting near infrared light, with the light source being adapted for mounting on a vehicle;

a video camera for receiving the near infrared light reflected from an object;

the light source being separate from the video camera; and

a video monitor for receiving a signal stream transmitted by the video camera, and for displaying an image of the object derivable from the signal stream;

wherein

the light source is comprised of a source of full-spectrum light in combination with a filter for passing only the near infrared light.

4. A viewing assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the light source includes a zoom lens mounted thereon.

5. A viewing assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the light source has claim a frequency range of 800 to 900 nanometers.

6. A viewing assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the light source is a laser.

7. An assembly adaptable for mounting on a vehicle for viewing an object located behind a tinted window, comprising:

a light source for emitting full-spectrum light, with the light source being adapted for mounting on a vehicle;

a video camera including a filter for passing only the near infrared light, for receiving near infrared light reflected from an object;

the light source being separate from the video camera; and

a video monitor for receiving a signal stream transmitted by the video camera, and for displaying an image of the object derivable from the signal stream.

8. A viewing assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the light source includes a zoom lens mounted thereon.

9. A viewing assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the near infrared light has a frequency range of 800 to 900 nanometers.

10. A viewing assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the light source is a laser.