Temporary surveillance system

• US 6,709,172 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cam Watch Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): MATHEWS, ALAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/128,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20020176712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/427, 396/428, 352/132, 352/243, 348/143, 348/144, 348/149, 348/151, 348/153, 348/159, 348/375, 348/158, 340/908, 340/937, 248/177.1, 248/178.1
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19623 Arrangements allowing camera linear motion, e.g. camera moving along a rail cable or track
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A surveillance system is provided including a platform having a plurality and variety of cameras or sensors mounted thereto, and a base enclosure adapted to accommodate a power supply, a variety of electronics and other equipment for controlling and providing power to the surveillance equipment. The base is constructed to be tamper resistant and immovable by manual means. A substantially hollow support pole includes a lower portion detachably mounted to the base, and an upper portion mounted to the platform. Wires and cables for connecting the surveillance equipment with the electronics and power supply are run through the support pole. Power to the system may be supplied through existing power sources, for example a 120V power source. A current breaker secured in an environmentally protected housing on the exterior of the surveillance system connected to the power supply and the electronics and surveillance equipment.

Claims

1. A surveillance system comprising:

a transportable surveillance assembly, including a platform adapted to support surveillance equipment for providing observations of an area in a vicinity of the surveillance system;

an unattached base comprising a concrete structure having sufficient weight to prevent the base from being manually displaced, including a substantially hollow enclosure with openings on opposing sides of the base, and sized and adapted to contain electronics equipment for controlling the surveillance equipment, and a power supply, the enclosure openings secured with lockable pry-proof doors;

a hollow support pole having an upper portion mounted to the surveillance assembly and a lower portion detachably mounted to the base, the hollow interior of the support pole communicating with the hollow enclosure;

a distribution box mounted on the upper portion of the support pole to receive a power line from to distribute electrical power from an external source to the power supply;

means for connecting the surveillance equipment to the electronics equipment contained in the base;

means to power the electronics equipment and surveillance equipment from the power supply; and

a current circuit breaker disposed on the surveillance system outside the base enclosure connected to the line connecting the power supply to the power line via the distribution box.

2. The surveillance system according to claim 1 wherein the current circuit breaker is housed in a secure, environmentally protected, housing mounted on the base.

3. The surveillance assembly according to claim 1 wherein the current circuit breaker is housed in a housing mounted on the upper portion of the substantially hollow support pole.

4. The surveillance system according to claim 1 wherein the current circuit breaker is housed in a housing mounted on the platform.

5. The surveillance system according to claim 1 wherein the weight of the concrete structure is at least about 1,500 pounds.

6. The surveillance system according of claim 1 wherein the means for connecting the electronics equipment with the surveillance equipment includes wiring and cables disposed at least partially through the substantially hollow support pole.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the surveillance assembly further includes a power distribution box adapted to received and distribute electrical power from the power source to the surveillance equipment.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the surveillance assembly further includes a power distribution box mounted on the upper portion of the substantially hollow support pole and adapted to receive the power supply line, to supply power to a power source, and to distribute electrical power from the power source to the surveillance equipment.

9. The surveillance system according to claim 7 wherein the power distribution box is adapted to be connected to an existing external power source via the power supply line.

10. The system according to claim 8 wherein the power distribution box is adapted to be connected to an existing external power source via the power supply line.

11. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an internal power supply in the hollow enclosure, connected to the power distribution box and an electrical box, for providing an alternative source of power to the electronics equipment and the surveillance equipment.

12. The system according to claim 9 further comprising an internal power supply in the hollow enclosure, connected to the power distribution box and an electrical box, for providing an alternative source of power to the electronics equipment and the surveillance equipment.

13. The system according to claim 10 further comprising an internal power supply in the hollow enclosure, connected to the power distribution box and an electrical box, for providing an alternative source of power to the electronics equipment and the surveillance equipment.

14. The surveillance system according to claim 1 wherein the current circuit breaker is housed in a secure, environmentally protected, housing mounted on the surveillance system.

15. The surveillance system according to claim 1 wherein the surveillance equipment comprises a plurality of cameras.

16. The system according to claim 1 wherein the surveillance equipment comprises a multiplexor including a plurality of cameras.

17. The surveillance system according to claim 1 wherein the support pole comprises a plurality of telescoping segments.