Covert camera with a fixed lens

• US 8,249,444 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Peterson, Ericka A., Schwartz, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): FENWICK, WARREN K
• Application Number:
  US13/243,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20120013739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 396/427, 396/428, 396/433, 348/151, 348/156, 348/155
• US Class Current: 396/433
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/55 with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19626 optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19628 of wide angled cameras and camera groups, e.g. omni-directional cameras, fish eye, single units having multiple cameras achieving a wide angle view
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1965 the vehicle being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A covert camera for surveillance in an aircraft comprises a front panel that can have an appearance other than a conventional camera. The front panel can include at least one aperture therethrough. A lens can be in or near the aperture, the lens having a field of view. A camera mount can be positioned on the front panel. The camera mount can include a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view. The camera mount can be capable of adjustment without movement of the lens.

Claims

1. A method of using at least one covert camera for surveillance in an aircraft comprising:

(a) providing the covert camera in an interior of the aircraft, the covert camera comprising;

a front panel having an appearance other than a conventional camera, the front panel having at least one aperture therethrough;

a lens in or near the aperture, the lens being fixed relative to the front panel and having a field of view;

a camera mount positioned on the front panel, the camera mount having a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view, wherein;

the camera mount is further capable of adjustment relative to the front panel without movement of the lens relative to the front panel; and

the sensor moves relative to the lens upon adjustment of the camera mount, while the lens remains fixed relative to the front panel; and

(b) adjusting the position of the sensor to a preferred focus position.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising locking the sensor at the preferred focus position.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing the covert camera in the aircraft.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the image for use on a display.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the image wirelessly for use on a display.

7. The method of claim 1, the covert camera further comprising a motion sensor in or near the front panel, the motion sensor capable of detecting activity in the field of view.

8. The method of claim 1, the covert camera further comprising an infrared light in or near the front panel, the infrared light capable of illuminating a field of view.

9. The method of claim 1, the covert camera further comprising a light sensor in or near the front panel, the light sensor capable of detecting illumination in the field of view.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a charged couple device.

11. A method using at least one covert camera comprising:

(a) providing the covert camera, the covert camera comprising;

a front panel having an appearance other than a conventional camera, the front panel having at least one aperture therethrough,

a lens in or near the aperture, the lens being fixed relative to the front panel and having a field of view;

a camera mount positioned on the front panel, the camera mount having a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view, wherein;

the camera mount is further capable of adjusting relative to the front panel without movement of the lens relative to the front panel;

(b) adjusting the position of the sensor to a preferred focus position;

(c) installing the covert camera in an aircraft;

(d) receiving the image of the at least a portion of field of view on the sensor.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting the image for use on a display.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting the image wirelessly for use on a display.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising locking the sensor at the preferred focus position.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the covert camera further comprises:

a motion sensor in or near the front panel, the motion sensor capable of detecting activity in the field of view;

an infrared light in or near the front panel, the infrared light capable of illuminating a field of view; and

a light sensor in or near the front panel, the light sensor capable of detecting illumination in the field of view.