Privacy ensuring covert camera

• US 8,123,419 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seth Cirker
• Original Assignee: Seth Cirker
• Inventors: Cirker, Seth
• Primary Examiner(s): FULLER, RODNEY EVAN
• Application Number:
  US12/550,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20100220192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 396/427, 396/433
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• 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 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A device for monitoring a privacy sensitive area, includes an image receiving device, such as a camera, disposed inside a housing chassis. The image receiving device includes a camera lens. Additionally, a movable obstruction member configured to selectively obstruct a camera lens is disposed on the device and is configured to change a position to selectively obstruct or expose the camera lens. The position of the movable obstruction member is dependent upon a threat level received by the device.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring an area, the device comprising;

an image receiving device disposed inside a housing chassis, said image receiving device including a camera lens;

a movable obstruction member configured to selectively obstruct said camera lens;

wherein said movable obstruction member is configured to change a position within said housing chassis to selectively expose said camera lens in response to a received signal indicative of a high risk situation;

wherein said position of said movable obstruction member is dependent upon a said received signal received by said device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said image receiving device comprises a camera system integrated with one of a smoke detector or a motion detector.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable obstruction member comprises a rotating disc coupled to said housing chassis;

said rotating disc defining a hole, a transparent section, or electrochromatic glass that may be selectively aligned with said camera lens within said housing chassis to provide surveillance.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable member comprises a rotatable cylindrical member having a first side and a second side;

wherein said first side and said second side protrude from a front surface said device;

wherein said first side of said rotatable cylindrical member defines a transparent section, said transparent section comprising a hole or a transparent material;

wherein said transparent section is configured to be selectively aligned with said camera lens to provide surveillance when said rotatable cylindrical member is selectively rotated.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said transparent section comprises an electrochromatic glass configured to change optical properties with an application of a current.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable member comprises a sliding member configured to selectively slide relative to said camera lens;

said sliding member including an optically transparent section configured to selectively expose said camera lens when said sliding member is selectively positioned.

7. A method for selectively masking a camera lens, the method comprising:

disposing an image receiving device inside a housing chassis, said image receiving device including a camera lens;

providing a movable visibly opaque member adjacent to said camera lens;

selectively changing a position of said movable visibly opaque member within said housing chassis to expose said camera lens;

wherein said camera lens is disposed in a defined location; and

wherein a position of said movable member obstructing or exposing said camera lens is dependent upon receipt of a signal representing a risk threat level.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said camera lens is integrated with one of a foreign substance detector or a motion detector.

9. A security system for a facility, the system comprising:

a security system interface configured to respond to a received signal indicative of a threat level;

a computing module configured to determine whether said received signal exceeds a threshold value assigned to said system;

at least one masked camera disposed within a housing including a lens, said masked camera including a movable member selectively obstructing the camera lens, said masked camera being configured to be located in designated area;

wherein said movable member obstructing said camera lens is configured to change a position within said housing to expose said camera lens when said received signal exceeds said threshold value;

wherein said camera lens is integrated with one of a foreign substance detector or a motion detector.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a threat level transmission component, wherein said threat level transmission component is configured to assign said designated area a privacy threshold value by;

evaluating a degree of privacy desired in said privacy area; and

assigning said privacy threshold value in relation to said desired for privacy.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said threat level transmission component comprises an operations center.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said operations center is configured to receive said signal manually based on a perceived risk.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said operations center is configured to receive said signal automatically based on a detected condition evaluated by security equipment.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said threat level transmission component comprises a remote transmitting device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said remote transmitting device comprises an alarm input device.