SURVEILLANCE CAMERA

• US 3,752,047 A
• Filed: 12/13/1971
• Issued: 08/14/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Larry Gordon, Larry J. Paskow
• Original Assignee: Larry Gordon, Larry J. Paskow
• Inventors: Gordon, Larry, Paskow, Larry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horan, John M.
• Application Number:
  US05/207,225
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 95/11,11.5 355/64 352/84,137
• US Class Current: 396/263
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/00 Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor

Abstract

A surveillance camera particularly for use in a moving vehicle such as a taxicab, having a single frame motion picture camera for photographing images onto a film strip in a film cartridge. The camera includes an illumination means, such as a flash, for illuminating the subject when the picture is being taken. The camera automatically advances the film to the next image when the picture is taken and can be remotely actuated by the driver of the vehicle. The camera is housed in a tamper-proof container which is bolted to the vehicle and has indicating lights to signal the readiness of the camera and the remaining film left in its cartridge.

Claims

1. A surveillance camera for photographing local activity onto a film in a film cartridge in response to a remote switch, comprising:

a housing;

a single frame motion picture camera mounted in said housing;

electronic flash means responsive to said camera and mounted within said housing for providing illumination while a picture is being taken;

visual indication means, including a switch for engaging a film cartridge inserted in the camera and at least one indication lamp, externally visible on said housing, and connected to said switch, for providing a visual indication that the film cartridge is disposed in the housing; and

film counting means, including a switch coupled to the camera, for illuminating said indication lamp after a predetermined number of pictures have been taken thereby indicating the amount of film remaining in the film cartridge, and reset means coupled to said visual indication means switch for resetting said film counting means when said film cartridge is removed from said housing.

2. The surveillance camera as described in claim 1, wherein said electronic flash means comprises a high voltage converter, responsive to a remote switch, high voltage switch means coupled to the output of a generator, a motor responsive to said switch, a flash switch coupled to the output of said motor, and a flash unit coupled to said flash switch so that actuation of said remote switch will turn on said generator, operate said high voltage switch means, turn on said motor, close said flash switch and ignite said flash unit.

3. The surveillance camera as described in claim 2, wherein said film counting means is coupled to the output of said motor.