Concealed pinhole camera for video surveillance

• US 20080024605A1
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, LLC
• Original Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W Incorporated
• Inventors: Osann, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,265,776 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/00 Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/06 by electronic methods
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19693 using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 the cable being constituted by a pair of wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 : Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 : Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 : Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A concealed pinhole camera assembly for video surveillance is described where the image sensor is mounted opposite a pinhole opening in the face plate for a wall plug or switch, mounted in turn on an electrical junction box. The pinhole opening is located in the position normally occupied by a mounting screw, thus concealing its location. An additional mounting mechanism may be utilized to secure the face plate and camera assembly to the junction box.

Claims

1. A concealed pinhole camera assembly for video surveillance comprising:

A faceplate for mounting to an electrical junction box, said faceplate having a pinhole opening, said opening being located where a mounting screw for said faceplate would normally be located on a standard faceplate, and

an image sensor mounted behind said faceplate and opposite said pinhole opening.

2. The concealed pinhole camera assembly of claim 1 where the faceplate also has openings for wall plug receptacles.

3. The concealed pinhole camera assembly of claim 1 where the faceplate also has openings for switches.

4. The concealed pinhole camera assembly of claim 1 also including:

a camera circuit connected to said image sensor, and

a power supply circuit.

5. The concealed pinhole camera assembly of claim 4 also including a transmit circuit for transmitting image information received from said camera circuit.

6. The concealed pinhole camera assembly of claim 4 also including a battery backup function.

7. The concealed pinhole camera assembly of claim 1 where the faceplate also has mounting studs suitable for fastening to an electrical junction box.