Confinement-cell window attachment
First Claim
1. A confinement-cell window attachment for use at a cell in cooperation with a cell window, comprising:
- (a) a frame enclosure adapted for use with said cell window;
(b) means for securing said frame enclosure when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window;
(c) means for providing a two-way mirror secured to said frame enclosure and when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window, said two-way mirror disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and adapted to permit viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the outside of said cell and adapted to prevent viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the inside of said cell and wherein said two-way mirror provides at least a five to one reduction in light intensity;
(d) means for attenuating light disposed in said frame structure and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror; and
(e) means for viewing into said cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the viewing of an inmate in a cell while preventing the inmate from determining if he is being observed includes a frame enclosure with means for securing the apparatus about a cell window attached to the frame structure. A two-way mirror is attached to the frame enclosure and disposed proximate the cell window. A sheet of light attenuating material is disposed in the frame enclosure in planar alignment with respect to the two-way mirror a predetermined distance therefrom to darken the area intermediate the two-way mirror and the sheet of light attenuation material. Means for viewing through the two-way mirror are provided which include a lens or a video camera and display. An optional slot allows for manual positioning of the lens to permit optimum viewing into the cell. The means for securing includes a plurality of magnets disposed around the perimeter of the frame enclosure or by use of a hook and loop fastener. At least one handle is attached to the frame enclosure and is useful to move the apparatus from a first cell window to a second cell window, as may be necessary.
35 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A confinement-cell window attachment for use at a cell in cooperation with a cell window, comprising:
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(a) a frame enclosure adapted for use with said cell window;
(b) means for securing said frame enclosure when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window;
(c) means for providing a two-way mirror secured to said frame enclosure and when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window, said two-way mirror disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and adapted to permit viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the outside of said cell and adapted to prevent viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the inside of said cell and wherein said two-way mirror provides at least a five to one reduction in light intensity;
(d) means for attenuating light disposed in said frame structure and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror; and
(e) means for viewing into said cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A confinement-cell window attachment for use at a cell in cooperation with a cell window, comprising:
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(a) a frame enclosure adapted for use with said cell window;
(b) means for securing said frame enclosure when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window;
(c) means for providing a two-way mirror secured to said frame enclosure and when said frame enclosure is disposed proximate to said cell window, said two-way mirror disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and adapted to permit viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the outside of said cell and adapted to prevent viewing through said two-way mirror when viewed from the inside of said cell;
(d) means for attenuating light disposed in said frame structure and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror; and
(e) means for viewing into said cell wherein said means for viewing includes a viewing lens disposed in an opening through said means for attenuating light. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for viewing an inmate in a cell, which comprises:
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(a) placing a confinement-cell window attachment over a cell window, said window attachment having a two-way mirror proximate said cell window, said two-way mirror being disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and an opaque layer disposed in a frame structure of said window attachment and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and wherein said opaque layer is disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror and a lens is disposed through said opaque layer for viewing through said two-way mirror and into said cell;
(b) securing said window attachment proximate to said cell window; and
(c) looking through said lens.
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14. A method for viewing an inmate in a cell, which comprises:
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(a) placing a confinement-cell window attachment over a cell window, said window attachment having a two-way mirror proximate said cell window, said two-way mirror being disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said cell window and an opaque layer disposed in a frame structure of said window attachment and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said two-way mirror and wherein said opaque layer is disposed a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror and a video camera that includes a lens attached to said window attachment and wherein said lens is disposed for viewing through an opening in said opaque layer and through said two-way mirror and into said cell;
(b) displaying an image as perceived by said video camera;
(c) securing said window attachment proximate said cell window; and
(d) looking at said image. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of making a window attachment for monitoring a confinement area, which comprises:
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(a) providing a frame structure;
(b) placing a two-way mirror in said frame structure, said two-way mirror being disposed in parallel planar alignment with respect to said frame structure;
(c) placing means for attenuating light in said frame structure proximate said two-way mirror and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said frame structure mirror wherein said means for attenuating includes placing a substantially opaque sheet of material a predetermined distance from said two-way mirror; and
(d) placing means for viewing into said confinement area on said window attachment for viewing through said two-way mirror and through said opaque sheet and wherein said means for viewing includes a lens that is disposed in an opening in said opaque material. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification