Compact integrated self contained surveillance unit

• US 6,810,293 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United International Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: United International Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Staggs, James W., Chou, David C., Jonas, Frederick M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini, Albert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/915,809
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 700/90, 701/207, 701/213, 701/223, 701/224, 701/300, 382/103, 345/7-9, 89/410.1, 89/411.7, 89/411.9, 892/00, 892/01, 892/04, 892/05, 421/11, 421/30, 342/357.06
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/18 Military applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/20 for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

An integrated, compact, self contained surveillance unit including: a housing having a front end and a back end; a sensor section attached to the front end of the housing; mechanism for determining the position of the unit; a communications system; a computer, and image output attached to the back end of the housing connected to the computer. The computer is connected to the sensor section, the position determination mechanisms, the communication system and the image output. All are supported by the housing. The sensor is selected from the group including visible sensors, UV sensors, short wavelength infrared sensors and long wavelength infrared sensors. The sensor section also includes an uncooled focal plane array. The position determination mechanisms include GPS, GLONASS, an accelerometer and a compass. The communication system, which is bi-directional, includes a multi-mode patch antenna and a SDR. The computer includes digital signal processing, field programmable gate array and memory (both volatile and non-volatile). The surveillance unit also includes a temperature sensor connected to the computer. The image output is, preferably, a heads up display which is detachable from the housing. Finally, the surveillance unit includes mechanisms for inputting and manipulating data, including a touchpad.

Claims

1. An integrated compact, self contained surveillance unit, said unit comprising;

(a) housing means;

(b) optics means for collecting radiation and generating images, said optics means attached to said housing means;

(c) means, attached to said housing, for determining the position of said unit;

(d) means, including a multi-mode patch antenna, attached to said housing means, for sending and receiving communications from said unit;

(e) computer means attached to said housing means, said computer means connected to said optics means, said position determination means, and said communication means; and

(f) image output means connected to said housing means and connected to said computer means for receiving images from said computer means.

2. The surveillance unit of claim 1, wherein said optics means includes a sensor selected from the group including visible sensors, UV sensors, short wavelength infrared sensors and long wavelength infrared sensors.

3. The surveillance unit of claim 2, wherein said optics means also includes uncooled focal plane array.

4. The surveillance unit of claim 1, wherein said position determination means includes GPS position determination means.

5. The surveillance unit of claim 4, further means for determining the motion of said unit.

6. The surveillance unit of claim 5, wherein said motion determination means is an accelerometer.

7. The surveillance unit of claim 6, further including means for determining direction.

8. The surveillance unit of claim 7, wherein said GPS position determination means is coupled to said accelerometer, said means for determining direction, said computer means and said communications means.

9. The surveillance unit of claim 4, wherein said position determination means also includes GLONASS position determination means, said GLONASS position determination means coupled to both said computer means and said communication means.

10. The surveillance unit of claim 1, wherein said communication means includes RF communication means.

11. The surveillance unit of claim 1, wherein said computer means includes digital signal processing means, field programmable gate array means, and memory means.

12. The surveillance unit of claim 1, further including temperature sensing means connected to said computer means.

13. The surveillance unit of claim 1, further including power supply means.

14. The surveillance unit of claim 13, wherein said power supply means is a battery.

15. The surveillance unit of claim 1, wherein said image output means up display.

16. The surveillance unit of claim 1, further including means for manipulating data by the user of said surveillance unit.

17. The surveillance unit of claim 16, wherein said data manipulating means is a touchpad.