Function disabling system for a camera used in a restricted area

• US 6,738,572 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hunter, Andrew Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Arthur A
• Application Number:
  US10/061,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20020106202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 396/56, 396/59, 396/263, 396/429, 348/116
• US Class Current: 396/56
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

Apparatus for restricting and/or prohibiting the use of a portable camera within a predetermined area, the apparatus comprising a first unit (10) mounted in or on a portable camera (not shown). The unit (10) includes a receiver (12) for receiving periodic radio signals (14) from one or more transmitters (16) located remote from the camera within the predetermined area. When the receiver (12) receives a signal (14), it activates a disable module (18) which disables one or more of the functions of the camera while it is within the predetermined areas. The apparatus may also include a GPS tracking system (20) for tracking the location of the camera and/or an alarm module (22) for emitting an alarm in response to receipt of a signal (14) from a transmitter (16).

Claims

1. A camera operative to perform a plurality of imaging functions, the camera comprising:

a receiver unit operative to receive an external function control signal from a remote unit, the external function control signal including information for restricting a first imaging function of the camera when the camera is located within a predetermined area;

a position sensing module operative to receive a position signal to determine the location of the camera with respect to the predetermined area; and

a disable module operative to receive the external function control signal from the receiver unit and disable the first imaging function of the camera when the position sensing module determines that the camera is located within the predetermined area.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the disable module disables a flash function of the camera and enables an image-capturing function of the camera.

3. The camera of claim 1, wherein the disable module disables a high-resolution image-capturing function of the camera and enables a low-resolution image-capturing function of the camera.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit receives first function control signal for restricting a first set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera is located in a first specific region of the predetermined area and a second function control signal for restricting a second set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera is located in a second specific region of the predetermined area.

5. The camera of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit receives a first function control signal disables or disabling a set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera enters the predetermined area and at second function control signal for re-enabling the set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera leaves the predetermined area.

6. The camera of claim 1, further comprising an alarm unit.

7. The camera of claim 6, wherein the alarm unit indicates when the camera is located in a restricted area.

8. The camera of claim 6, wherein the alarm unit indicates when the camera performs a restricted imaging function in the predetermined area.

9. The camera of claim 6, wherein the alarm unit includes an audible alarm.

10. The camera of claim 6, wherein the alarm unit includes a visual alarm.

11. The camera of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit receives the external function control signal from a remote radio transmitter unit.

12. The camera of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit receives a plurality of external function control signals from a plurality of remote radio transmitter units.

13. The camera of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit receives the external function control signal from a programming device that temporarily contacts the receiver unit.

14. The camera of claim 13, wherein the receiver unit comprises a card reader and the programming device comprises a license card.

15. The camera of claim 1, further comprising an internal transmitter operative to transmit a signal to an external receiver.

16. The camera of claim 15, wherein the internal transmitter transmits the signal to the external receiver when the camera is located within the predetermined area, the external receiver operative to initiate an external alarm in response to the signal.

17. The camera of claim 15, wherein the internal transmitter transmits the signal to the external receiver when the camera performs an imaging function in the predetermined area, the external receiver operative to initiate an external alarm when the imaging function is a prohibited function.

18. The camera of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit receives a first function control signal for enabling a set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera enters the predetermined area and a second function control signal for disabling the set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera leaves the predetermined area.

19. A method for disabling an imaging function of a camera, the method comprising:

receiving an external function control signal from a remote unit, the external function control signal including information for restricting a first imaging function of the camera when the camera is located within a predetermined area;

receiving a position signal;

processing the position signal to determine the location of the camera with respect to the predetermined area; and

disabling the first imaging function of the camera when the camera is located within the predetermined area.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein disabling the first imaging function comprises disabling a flash function of the camera and enabling an image-capturing function of the camera.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein disabling the first imaging function comprises disabling a high-resolution image-capturing function of the camera and enabling a low-resolution image-capturing function of the camera.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving an external function control signal further comprises receiving a first function control signal for restricting a first set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera is located in a first specific region of the predetermined area and a second function control signal for restricting a second set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera is located in a second specific region of the predetermined area.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving an external function control signal further comprises receiving a first function control signal for disabling a set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera enters the predetermined area and a second function control signal for re-enabling the set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera leaves the predetermined area.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing an internal alarm signal when the camera is located in a restricted area.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing an internal alarm signal when the camera performs a restricted imaging function in the predetermined area.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting a plurality of function control signals from a plurality of remote radio transmitter units;

wherein receiving the external function control signal further comprises receiving the plurality of function control signals from the plurality of remote radio transmitter units.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the external function control signal comprises temporarily contacting the camera with a programming device.

28. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting a signal to an external receiver when the camera is located within the predetermined area; and

initiating an external alarm in response to the signal.

29. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting a signal to an external receiver when the camera performs an imaging function in the predetermined area; and

initiating an external alarm when the imaging function is a prohibited function.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving an external function control signal further comprises receiving a first function control signal for enabling a set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera enters the predetermined area and a second function control signal for disabling the set of imaging functions of the camera when the camera leaves the predetermined area.