Means and method for visual surveillance and documentation

• US 4,922,339 A
• Filed: 03/31/1988
• Issued: 05/01/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stout Video Systems
• Original Assignee: Stout Video Systems
• Inventors: Herrick, Dennis, Stout, Glen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/176,258
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 358/107, 358/108, 358/101, 358/93, 358/149, 340/937
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/054 photographing overspeeding vehicles

Abstract

A system for visual surveillance and documentation of an event or events including one or more cameras to visually record the event, and a monitoring member or transducer to derive information regarding the event. The visual representation of the event is contained in a video signal, whereas the information is contained in an information signal. A conversion device operates on the information signal to convert it into a format which is integratable with the video signal. The video and information signals are then combined or integrated into a combining device which outputs a third composite signal containing both the visual recording and the information. The third signal can then be recorded, displayed, or otherwise utilized to document the event, and neither the visual or information portions can be independently altered, thereby increasing validity and reliability of the documentation.

Claims

1. A surveillance system for monitoring a remote external event comprising:

transducer means positionable at or near the remote external event for deriving information from the external event and converting the information into a remotely generated first signal representing the information;

camera means for visually recording at least a portion of the remote external event and converting the visual recording into a remotely generated second signal representing the visual recording;

first and second cable means for connecting the transducer means and camera means to a tamper-proof, unalterable combined signal producing means, the first and second cable means being of variable and not necessarily corresponding lengths;

the combined signal producing means including,

controller means for controlling operation of the tamper-proof and unalterable combined signal-producing means including input means for receiving the first signal from the transducer means, conversion means for converting the first signal from the transducer means into a format which is integratable with a format of the second signal, processing means for processing information in the first signal, directing transfer, recognition, and storage of information regarding the first signal, and software means for facilitating such operation, and memory means for storing information;

combiner means for combining the first and second signals to produce a composite third signal including the information and the visual recording regarding the external event, the combiner means including input means for receiving the second signal from the camera means and for receiving information from the controller means; and

a composite third video signal output means for facilitating output of the third signal to at least one of the set comprising a video signal display and a video signal recording means.

2. A system for visually surveilling and documenting a remote event, and incorporating non-visual information regarding the event into visual documentation of the remote event to disallow tampering or alteration of the visual and information documentation comprising:

camera means for generating an electrical picture signal visually recording the remote event;

non-visual information means for generating an electrical information signal recording non-visual information of the remote event;

tamper-proof, unalterable combined signal producing means to which is connected first and second cable means of variable and not necessarily corresponding lengths from the camera means and the non-visual information means;

the combined signal producing means including;

controller means for controlling operation of the tamper-proof and unalterable combined signal producing means including input means for receiving the information signal, conversion means for converting the information signal into a format which is integratable with a format of the picture signal, processing means for processing information in the information signal, directing transfer, recognition, and storage of information regarding the information signal, and including software means for facilitating such operation, and memory means for storing information; and

the combined signal producing means including input means for receiving the picture signal from the camera means, and for receiving the information signal from the controller means, and means for integrating the information signal from the controller means and the picture signal from the camera into one integrated composite third video signal, and a composite third video signal output means for facilitating output of the third signal to at least one of the set comprising a video signal display and a video signal recording means.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the camera signal is in a first electrical signal format.

4. The signal of claim 3 wherein the information signal is in an electrical signal format different from the picture signal format.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the control means includes a conversion means for converting the information signal into a format which is integratable with a format of the picture signal.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the conversion means comprises computer means for receiving the information signal, interpreting the information signal, and storing the information signal for processing;

computer to video combining means for integrating the information and camera signals and producing an output video signal of that integration adaptable for recording and display.

7. The method of visual surveillance documentation of a remote event including incorporation of non-visual information regarding the event to disallow tampering of alteration of the visual information documentation of the event comprising:

visually recording the remote event;

converting the visual recording into a first signal;

monitoring the event to derive non-visual information;

converting the non-visual information into a second signal;

electrically communicating the first and second signals by cable means of variable and not necessarily corresponding lengths;

controlling the second signal by utilizing a controller means which includes processing means, memory means, and software means;

converting the second signal into a format which is integratable with the first signal in the controller means;

combining the first and second signals into a third signal by utilizing a combiner means which receives the first signal including the visual recording of the event, and by synchronizing the first signal and the second signal and then integrating the first and second signals after synchronization and combination to produce a tamper-proof unalterable composite third signal output; and

adapting the third signal for display and documentation.