Apparatus within a street lamp for remote surveillance having directional antenna

• US 6,624,845 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Detection Dynamics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Detection Dynamics Incorporated
• Inventors: Marshall, Dan H. II, Loyd, Jaylon D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US10/123,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20020154218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 348/142-156, 348/207-215
• US Class Current: 348/151
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/08 with a standard F21S6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A covert surveillance system for viewing images from a remote location is provided. The surveillance system provides a mirror, lens and camera arrangement within a small enclosure that allows full 360 degree pan, tilt, zoom, focus and iris control from a remote location. The system receives control commands such as rotate left, zoom out and tilt down via a radio receiver, and controls the camera accordingly. Images viewed by the camera are transmitted to a remote receiver for display on a monitor, or for recording. Continuous camera rotation is achieved by use of a specialized conductive drum that provides continuous electrical contact between camera signals and camera control. In one embodiment, the surveillance system is mounted in place of a photo detector in a street lamp, making the camera virtually undetectable. In addition, a rotatable directional antenna is included in the surveillance system to allow surveillance at great distances from the system. The directional antenna is remotely rotated using the same radio receiver that is used for camera control.

Claims

1. A remote controlled directional antenna coupled to a surveillance camera system mounted within a street lamp, comprising:

direction command reception logic, for receiving antenna direction commands from a remote location;

a motor, coupled to said direction command reception logic, for turning in response to said antenna direction commands; and

a directional antenna, coupled to said motor, changing direction in response to the turning of said motor;

wherein said commands transmitted from the remote location cause said directional antenna to be directed to the remote location for optimum reception of signals generated by the surveillance camera system.

2. The remote controlled directional antenna, as recited in claim 1, wherein said direction command reception logic comprises a radio receiver.

3. The remote controlled directional antenna, as recited in claim 2, wherein said direction command reception logic further comprises a command decoder, coupled to said radio receiver, for decoding radio signals into said antenna direction commands.

4. The remote controlled directional antenna, as recited in claim 1, wherein said direction command reception logic comprises a touch tone decoder, coupled to a telephone line, for decoding touch tone signals into said antenna direction commands.

5. The remote controlled directional antenna, as recited in claim 1, wherein said directional antenna is a loop yagi antenna.

6. The remote controlled directional antenna, as recited in claim 1, wherein said motor turns either clockwise (to the right), or counter clockwise (to the left) in response to said antenna direction commands.

7. The remote controlled directional antenna, as recited in claim 1, wherein said motor further comprises:

a rotatable disk, coupled to said directional antenna;

a belt, coupled to said rotatable disk; and

a motor, coupled to said belt;

wherein when said motor turns, said directional antenna turns.