Temporary surveillance system

• US 7,429,139 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Wesselink, Richard H., Wesselink, Paul J., Brown, Stephen Fredrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathews; Alan A
• Application Number:
  US11/769,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20070248352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 496/419, 496/427, 496/428, 352/243, 348/143, 348/159, 348/144, 348/149, 348/151, 348/153, 348/375, 348/158, 340/908, 340/937, 248/177.1, 248/178.1
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• 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.

Claims

1. A transportable unmanned surveillance system comprising:

a base configured to support the transportable unmanned surveillance system on a ground surface and to substantially prevent unauthorized transportation of the system by hand, the base having an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot;

a camera positioned above the base at a height sufficient to put the camera substantially out of reach of a person standing on the ground surface, the camera configured to obtain video data of objects in the vicinity of the surveillance system;

a support pole having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the support pole coupled to the base and the upper portion coupled to the camera;

a recorder in communication with the camera, the recorder configured to receive wireless transmissions of the video data obtained by the camera and record the video data obtained by the camera during ongoing surveillance; and

an enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access, the enclosure separating the recorder from the camera and allowing for wireless transmissions of video data between the camera and the recorder;

wherein the surveillance system is powered by an electrical connection to a power pole.

2. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is positioned within the base.

3. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is positioned above the base.

4. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 3, wherein the enclosure is coupled to the support pole.

5. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the recorder is in wireless communication with the camera via satellite transmissions.

6. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the recorder is in wireless communication with the camera via cell phone applications.

7. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 50 pounds per cubic foot.

8. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 7, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 100 pounds per cubic foot.

9. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises concrete.

10. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the system weighs more than about 1000 pounds.

11. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the camera is positioned about 25 feet high.

12. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, additionally comprising means for securely powering the surveillance system.

13. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 1, wherein the system weighs more than about 500 pounds.

14. A transportable unmanned surveillance system comprising:

a base configured to support the transportable unmanned surveillance system on a ground surface and to substantially prevent unauthorized transportation of the system by hand;

a camera positioned above the base at a height sufficient to put the camera substantially out of reach of a person standing on the ground surface, the camera configured to obtain video data of objects in the vicinity of the surveillance system;

a support pole having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the support pole coupled to the base and the upper portion coupled to the camera;

a recorder in communication with the camera, the recorder configured to record the video data obtained by the camera during ongoing surveillance;

an enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access, the enclosure separating the recorder from the camera and allowing for secure communication between the camera and the recorder; and

a communications connection between the camera and the recorder to transmit the video data between the camera and the recorder, the communications connection configured to substantially protect the transmission of video data from unauthorized disruption by a person standing on the ground surface;

wherein the surveillance system is powered by an electrical connection to a power pole.

15. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the communications connection comprises a cable at least a portion of which is positioned substantially out of reach of a person standing on the ground surface.

16. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the communications connection comprises a cable at least a portion of which is positioned within a hollow portion of the support pole.

17. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, further comprising a power line configured to transmit power to at least one of the recorder and the camera, the power line configured to substantially protect the transmission of power from unauthorized disruption by a person standing on the ground surface.

18. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 17, wherein the power line comprises a wire at least a portion of which is positioned substantially out of reach of a person standing on the ground surface.

19. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 17, wherein the power line comprises a wire at least a portion of which is positioned within a hollow portion of the support pole.

20. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the camera and the recorder is configured for wireless communication.

21. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication is via satellite transmissions.

22. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication is via cell phone applications.

23. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the camera is positioned about 25 feet high.

24. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot.

25. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 24, wherein the base has an average density of at least about 50 pounds per cubic foot.

26. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the base comprises concrete.

27. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the system weighs more than about 1000 pounds.

28. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the system weighs more than about 500 pounds.

29. A method of providing an unmanned transportable surveillance system, the method comprising:

transporting the a base, a camera, a support pole and a recorder to an area to be monitored;

positioning the camera above the base such that a lower portion of the support pole is coupled to the base and an upper portion of the support pole is coupled to the camera to support the camera above the base to obtain video data of the area to be monitored, the camera being configured for wireless communication;

positioning the recorder within a secure enclosure configured to substantially protect the recorder from unauthorized access;

transmitting the video data from the camera to the recorder;

recording the video data transmitted from the camera onto the recorder; and

providing power to the camera via an electrical connection with a power pole.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising providing power to the camera such that the transmission of power is substantially protected from unauthorized disruption by a person standing on a ground surface.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising accessing the recorder within the secure enclosure to review video data captured by the camera and recorded by the recorder.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising transmitting the video data wirelessly from the camera to the recorder.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising controlling the camera wirelessly.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising accessing the recorder wirelessly.

35. A transportable unmanned surveillance system comprising:

a base configured to support the transportable unmanned surveillance system on a ground surface and to substantially prevent unauthorized transportation of the system by hand, the base having an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot;

a camera positioned above the base at a height sufficient to put the camera substantially out of reach of a person standing on the ground surface, the camera configured to obtain video data of objects in the vicinity of the surveillance system;

a support pole having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the support pole coupled to the base and the upper portion coupled to the camera;

a recorder in communication with the camera, the recorder configured to receive wireless transmissions of the video data obtained by the camera and record the video data obtained by the camera during ongoing surveillance; and

an enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access, the enclosure separating the recorder from the camera and allowing for wireless transmissions of video data between the camera and the recorder, wherein the enclosure is positioned within the base.

36. A transportable unmanned surveillance system comprising:

a base configured to support the transportable unmanned surveillance system on a ground surface and to substantially prevent unauthorized transportation of the system by hand, the base having an average density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot;

a camera positioned above the base at a height sufficient to put the camera substantially out of reach of a person standing on the ground surface, the camera configured to obtain video data of objects in the vicinity of the surveillance system;

a support pole having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the support pole coupled to the base and the upper portion coupled to the camera;

a recorder in communication with the camera, the recorder configured to receive wireless transmissions of the video data obtained by the camera and record the video data obtained by the camera during ongoing surveillance; and

an enclosure configured to protect the recorder from unauthorized access, the enclosure separating the recorder from the camera and allowing for wireless transmissions of video data between the camera and the recorder, wherein the enclosure is positioned above the base.

37. The transportable unmanned surveillance system of claim 36, wherein the enclosure is coupled to the support pole.