Compact mobile reconnaissance system

• US 7,733,416 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2004
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mistral Detection Ltd.
• Original Assignee: O.D.F. Optronics Ltd.
• Inventors: Gal, Ehud
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Luong T
• Application Number:
  US10/502,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,183 Days
• Field of Search: 348/151, 348/158, 348/211.2, 348/211.4, 348/211.99, 348/117, 348/118, 348/123, 244/3.11, 244/190, 455/98
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

The present invention provides a compact mobile reconnaissance device that is designed to be deployed in hostile, dangerous, or difficult to access environments, to absorb shocks, to be resistant to adverse environmental conditions, and to transmit video and audio streams related to events at which it has been deployed to a remote receiver and display unit.

Claims

1. A compact mobile sensor assembly comprising:

a. an image sensor facing towards the exterior of said compact mobile sensor assembly;

b. a transmitter, capable of transmitting an image captured by said image sensor;

c. an energy pack providing power to said compact mobile sensor assembly and its components;

d. a plate defining the bottom of said compact mobile sensor assembly;

e. a motor and related components capable of rotating said compact mobile sensor assembly around its vertical axis;

f. a housing surrounding said image sensor, said transmitter, said energy pack, and said motor and related components and capable of protecting said components of said compact mobile sensor assembly from shocks resulting from its deployment and preserving the integrity of said compact mobile sensor assembly, thereby guaranteeing its proper functioning; and

g. a center of gravity located to assist in positioning and stabilizing said compact mobile sensor assembly with said plate adjacent to the ground,

wherein said compact mobile sensor assembly can be deployed by placing it in or throwing or firing it to a location at which it is desired to carry out surveillance;

said housing sustains the shocks of the deployment;

the shape of said housing, the shape of said plate, and the location of said center of gravity cause said compact mobile sensor assembly to stabilize and orient itself with said plate adjacent to the ground; and

said image sensor captures a scene surrounding said image sensor;

and wherein, after said compact mobile sensor assembly is deployed and said motor is activated, said plate remains stationary and said housing and the components therein are rotated around the vertical axis.

2. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said housing of said compact mobile sensor assembly is spherically shaped.

3. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said energy pack is rechargeable.

4. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an input socket for connecting at least one of an alternative power source and a charger for a rechargeable internal energy pack.

5. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter is wireless.

6. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone wherein said transmitter is capable of transmitting audio signals captured by said microphone.

7. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 6, wherein said microphone is positioned in the center of the upper surface of said compact mobile sensor assembly.

8. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination assembly, capable of providing light to the scene captured by said image sensor.

9. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 8, wherein said image sensor is sensitive to the wave length of the light emitted by said illumination assembly.

10. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 8, wherein said illumination assembly comprises Light Emitting Diodes.

11. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 8, wherein the wavelengths of the light provided by said illumination assembly are in the visible spectrum.

12. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 8, wherein the wavelengths of the light provided by said illumination assembly are in the Near Infra Red spectrum.

13. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 8, wherein the wavelengths of the light provided by said illumination assembly are in the Infra Red spectrum.

14. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said compact mobile sensor assembly further comprises a light sensor capable of sensing illumination level in the surroundings of said image sensor and of activating the illumination assembly when said illumination level is below a predetermined threshold value.

15. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plate has a flattened area on its bottom side.

16. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plate further comprises elements in the form of small feet distributed on the bottom of said plate.

17. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said housing of said compact mobile sensor assembly is fabricated by casting rubber.

18. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said housing of said compact mobile sensor assembly is fabricated by casting plastic.

19. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said housing of said compact mobile sensor assembly is fabricated by casting more than one type of material.

20. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the location of the center of gravity of said compact mobile sensor assembly is determined by the choice of location of the inner components of said compact mobile sensor assembly.

21. A compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said motor of said compact mobile sensor assembly is activated by a receiver which controls said motor in accordance with commands transmitted to it.

22. A mobile reconnaissance system comprising:

a. a compact mobile sensor assembly according to claim 1; and

b. a control and display unit.

23. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit comprises:

a. a display screen; and

b. a receiver capable of receiving data sent by said transmitter of said compact mobile sensor assembly,

wherein said control and display unit receives and displays signals transmitted from said compact mobile sensor assembly.

24. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit comprises a second transmitter capable of transmitting commands to said compact mobile sensor assembly.

25. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 24, wherein said second transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

26. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit is capable of controlling operation of said motor of said compact mobile sensor assembly.

27. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit is capable of controlling operation of the illumination assembly of said compact mobile sensor assembly.

28. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit is capable of controlling operation of said image sensor of said compact mobile sensor assembly.

29. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit is capable of performing image processing.

30. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit is capable of performing video motion detection on the image received.

31. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said control and display unit is capable of forming a continuous panoramic image and updating the image according to rotation of said compact mobile sensor assembly.

32. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein an optical lens of said image sensor is adapted to control an optical zoom.

33. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 32, wherein said control and display unit is adapted to control said optical zoom of said optical lens of said image sensor.

34. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, comprising more than one sensor assembly, wherein each of said sensor assemblies comprises a transmitter and each of said transmitters transmits at a different frequency.

35. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 34, wherein said transmitters are wireless transmitters.

36. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 34, wherein said control and display unit is capable of controlling several different sensor assemblies alternately.

37. A mobile reconnaissance system according to claim 22, wherein said compact mobile sensor assembly further comprises a receiver and speaker and is capable of receiving and broadcasting audio signals sent from a remote location.