Showcase security system

• US 5,990,938 A
• Filed: 02/26/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brett L. Bern
• Original Assignee: Brett L. Bern
• Inventors: Bern, Brett L.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US08/806,846
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/144, 348/150, 348/151, 348/152, 348/156, 348/154, 340/566, 340/520, 340/572, 312/114
• US Class Current: 348/152
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves

Abstract

An apparatus and method for an improved security system employing a video camera and video recorder is disclosed. Recordation of the video signals from the video camera by the video recorder is controlled by activation of a remotely mounted switch that monitors the status of a controlled access area. When an activation switch is placed adjacent an access door to a retail display cabinet, recordation of the video signals depicting that area will occur only when the access door is opened, generating a signal from the door switch as to the status of the access door ("open"). Upon closing the access door, a second signal is generated by the switch, terminating the recording of the video signals. In this manner video signals are only recorded during such time as access restrictions are compromised.

Claims

1. A portable security system for a commercial establishment comprising:

a covert video camera placed in such a manner that at least a portion of the premises of said commercial establishment is viewed by said camera;

a portable video recorder in wireless communication with said camera such that video signals generated by said video camera are received by said video recorder; and

a premises activation mechanism in wireless communication with and controlling the recording operation of said portable video recorder, such that upon activation, said premises activation mechanism generates one or more control signals that when communicated by a radio frequency transmission to said video recorder initiate or terminate the recording by said video recorder of said video signals generated by said covert video camera.

2. An improved security system as described in claim 1, wherein said portable video recorder is remotely located from said covert video camera.

3. An improved security system as described in claim 2, wherein said video recorder is located within a security station.

4. An improved security system as described in claim 1, wherein said premises activation mechanism comprises an activation switch that monitors the position of an access door to an area within said commercial establishment offering restricted access.

5. An improved security system as described in claim 4, wherein said area offering restricted access is a floor display cabinet.

8. An improved security system as described in claim 1, wherein said portable video recorder is remotely located from said premises activation mechanism.

6. A portable security system for a commercial establishment comprising:

a covert video camera placed in such a manner that at least a portion of the premises of said commercial establishment is viewed by said camera;

a portable video recorder in wireless communication with said camera such that video signals generated by said video camera are received by said video recorder; and

a premises activation mechanism in wireless communication with and controlling the recording operation of said portable video recorder, said premises activation mechanism comprising an activation switch that monitors the position of an access door to an area within said commercial establishment offering restricted access, said area comprising a floor display cabinet, such that upon activation, said premises activation mechanism generates one or more control signals that when communicated by a radio frequency transmission to said video recorder initiate or terminate the recording by said video recorder of said video signals generated by said covert video camera, wherein said activation switch comprises a mechanical switch.

7. A portable security system for a commercial establishment comprising:

a covert video camera placed in such a manner that at least a portion of the premises of said commercial establishment is viewed by said camera;

a portable video recorder in wireless communication with said camera such that video signals generated by said video camera are received by said video recorder; and

a premises activation mechanism in wireless communication with and controlling the recording operation of said portable video recorder, said premises activation mechanism comprising and activation switch that monitors the position of an access door to an area within said commercial establishment offering restricted access, said area comprising a floor display cabinet, such that upon activation, said premises activation mechanism generates one or more control signals that when communicated by a radio frequency transmission to said video recorder initiate or terminate the recording by said video recorder of said video signals generated by said covert video camera, wherein said activation switch comprises a magnetic switch.

9. A portable, covert security system product for areas of restricted access comprising in component parts:

a miniaturized, electronic video camera covertly monitoring an area of restricted access;

a portable video recorder in wireless communication with and receiving video signals from said video camera; and

a control switch remotely located from and in wireless communication with said video recorder in a manner that initiates and terminates the recording of said video signals from said miniaturized, electronic video camera.

10. A portable, covert security system product as described in claim 9, wherein said area of restricted access comprises a specified floor space in a retail business establishment, and wherein said control switch comprises a motion detector.

11. A portable, covert security system product as described in claim 9, wherein said area of restricted access comprises a floor display cabinet located within a retail business establishment, and wherein said control switch comprises an access door activation switch.

13. A portable, covert security system product as described in claim 9, wherein said area of restricted access comprises a cash drawer, and wherein said control switch comprises a position sensor activated upon placement of said cash drawer in a pre-determined position of enhanced access thereto.

12. A portable, covert security system product for areas of restricted access comprising in component parts:

a miniaturized, electronic video camera covertly monitoring an area of restricted access;

a portable video recorder in wireless communication with and receiving video signals from said video camera; and

a control switch remotely located from and in wireless communication with said video recorder in a manner that initiates and terminates the recording of said video signals from said miniaturized, electronic video camera,

wherein said area of restricted access comprises a floor display cabinet located within a retail business establishment, and wherein said control switch comprises an access door activation switch, and wherein said access door activation switch is a magnetic switch.

14. An improved method for video monitoring of private or commercial space comprising:

installing on a temporary basis and in a covert manner a miniaturized, electronic video camera in a location that permits said video camera to secretly view a desired location and provide a video output signal relating to said desired location;

communicating by radio frequency transmission said video output signal to a portable video recorder on a substantially continuous basis;

controlling the recordation of said video output on a recording medium within said video recorder based upon a set of pre-determined parameters received by a radio frequency transmission and relating to an activation state at said desired location.