Camera Concealment Patents (Class 348/151)
  • Patent number: 8164686
    Abstract: A surveillance television camera including a camera base which is mounted on an installation surface and to which a surveillance television camera is mounted, a dome cover which is detachably attachable to the camera base and a locking device including a movable locking member mounted on the camera base and an elastic member biasing the movable locking member toward a joint surface of the movable locking member relative to the dome cover. The camera base has a joint surface relative to the dome cover. The dome cover has a fitting recess formed in the joint surface. When the joint surfaces of the camera base and the dome cover are joined together so that the dome cover is turned circumferentially thereby to be attached to the camera base, the movable locking member is fitted into the fitting recess of the dome cover by a biasing force of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Elmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Togawa
  • Publication number: 20120054016
    Abstract: A restaurant customer-survey system and device, which reduces employee fraud when a customer-satisfaction survey embedded in the device is conducted. The survey may be implemented in a pager, tip tray, or other computing device that includes an internally mounted camera that covertly takes a photograph of the survey participant. The photograph is date/time stamped and associated with a table number so that the waiter for the table can be identified. The survey results together with the associated photograph are uploaded to a management database. The restaurant manager can review the photographs to ensure that employees are not fraudulently conducting the surveys rather than customers. The system also enables the customer to interface with the restaurant's point-of-sale (POS) system to retrieve the customer's current bill or wirelessly make a payment from the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Todd, Kenneth J. Lovegreen
  • Publication number: 20120050532
    Abstract: A wearable personal tracking device that can communicate over a cellular network. The device includes a wrist mounted part, having a wristband and a clasp which holds the wristband on to the wrist of a user. The band is remotely lockable, and also creates an alarm when opened while in a specified mode. The housing holds a position detecting part which detects the position of a user who is wearing said wrist mounted part, and a cellular transceiving part which communicates information including said information via the cellular network, e.g., via G3 cellular internet connectivity. The remote monitoring node can receive the latch alarm, and can also create a remote locking command, based on conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: PARAGON GPS, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Rhyins
  • Publication number: 20120033081
    Abstract: A mobile communication device that may be used by an investigator to secretly record a suspect and track the investigator's location includes a microphone for detecting sounds, a communication component for transmitting signals or data representative of the sounds to one of the portable computers via the wireless communication network, a display for displaying information related to operation of the device, a computing device, and a computer program implemented by the computing device. The computer program is operable to place the device in a stealth mode in which the display is turned off or otherwise deactivated to make the entire device appear to be turned off while the microphone continues to detect sounds and the communication component continues to transmit signals or data representative of the sounds to a surveillance or support team operating one of the portable computers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Sur-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Smith, Todd Dupriest
  • Patent number: 8098142
    Abstract: A monitoring device for vehicles includes a housing, at least one electrochromic mirror glass arranged in the housing so as to have a front side facing an observer, and at least one camera. The at least one electrochromic mirror glass comprises a reflective layer that is reflective in the visible spectral range of light. The at least one camera is arranged behind the reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from the front side. The at least one camera takes images through the reflective layer. The electrochromic mirror glass has an electrochromic layer and the reflective layer is arranged behind the electrochromic layer in the viewing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L Larson
  • Patent number: 8098282
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a means by which the privacy zone on a PTZ camera can be maintained so that an object in the camera's sight is always masked or covered. An algorithm which remembers the defined privacy zones as an area in space marked by four rays touching the four corners of the marked zone and having absolute Pan, Tilt angular coordinates is presented. The privacy zone is initially defined by a rectangle on the screen with known pixel co-ordinates which are translated into angular coordinates. Then, when the camera moves and prepares to display a new screen, the privacy zone is superimposed on the object to be masked. Locating the object and displaying its privacy zone is done by translating the absolute angular coordinates of the original privacy zone into pixel coordinates. Additionally, multiple privacy zones can be displayed on one camera screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj Gopinath, Arathi Mariswamy
  • Patent number: 8077029
    Abstract: A portable alarm video recording and transmitting device includes first and second component units in wireless communications with each other, the first component unit includes illuminating apparatus for providing lighting and is in communication with audiovisual recording apparatus for capturing and recording pictorial images and audio generating recorded video images that are converted to an electronic signal that is transmitted to the second component unit's communicating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: F3M3 Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Daniel, Hortencia Daniel, Antonio Alfonso
  • Patent number: 8072318
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with an electrochromic reflective element having a front portion and a rear portion generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element has an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has a transflective third-surface mirror reflector. A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, John O. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 8063997
    Abstract: An integrated tuner is programmable to optimize its components for either analog signal reception or digital signal reception. Power to the components is increased for analog operation and decreased for digital operation. The tuner also includes a selectable and integrated low noise amplifier that may be selected for single-signal reception and bypassed for multi-signal reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Mats Lindstrom, Glenn W. Eswein, Abdolreza Shafie, Mike A. Ploof, Ryuji Maeda, Manjit S. Gill, Eileen Carlson, Anthony R. Simon, Henry S. Lau
  • Patent number: 8050551
    Abstract: A covert camera for surveillance in an aircraft comprises a front panel that can have an appearance other than a conventional camera. The front panel can include at least one aperture therethrough. A lens can be in or near the aperture, the lens having a field of view. A camera mount can be positioned on the front panel. The camera mount can include a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view. The camera mount can be capable of adjustment without movement of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Ericka A. Peterson, Richard A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8044776
    Abstract: A rear vision system includes a video camera for capturing video images and a video display disposed in the cabin of the vehicle for displaying the video images captured by the camera. The camera has a field of view that at least encompasses a vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle. The display displays the video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle to assist the driver in connecting the vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle to a tow hitch connector of a trailer. The camera may have an adjustable zoom, an adjustable iris and/or an adjustable field of view. A graphic overlay may be superimposed on the displayed video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle to guide the driver during a reversing maneuver and/or to assist the driver in connecting a tow hitch connector of a trailer to the vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Frank O'Brien, Robert L. Bingle, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8040376
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle monitor apparatus capable of acquiring more information through effective utilization of an image taking region of a camera on the occasion of taking interior and exterior images of a vehicle with the camera. A vehicle monitor apparatus 1 is provided with a drive recorder 11 and a reflecting mirror 12. The drive recorder 11 is provided with a camera 14 and the camera 14 is arranged to take a forward image of the vehicle 2. In an image taking region of the camera 14, the reflecting mirror 12 is located in a range where a hood 23 should be imaged if the reflecting mirror 12 were excluded, and the camera 14 takes an image of an exterior situation outside the vehicle viewed through a windshield 22, and an image projected by the reflecting mirror 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Yamada, Hidenori Sato
  • Patent number: 8031225
    Abstract: A soundings monitoring system for a vehicle includes a first camera capturing a fist imaging surface, a second camera capturing a second imaging surface, and a monitor for displaying a first image of the first imaging surface and a second image of the second imaging surface. A standard point is specified relative to the vehicle, the first image and the second image are synthesized and displayed on the monitor so that a coordinate position of the standard point in an expanded imaging surface from the first imaging surface and a coordinate position of the standard point in the second imaging surface match each other, and an imaginary line including the standard point and extending over the first image and the second image is displayed on the monitor in such a manner that the imaginary line is superimposed on the synthesized image of the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Watanabe, Kosuke Sato
  • Patent number: 7988119
    Abstract: A mount for attaching a projection device to an overhead structure includes a device interface operably attachable to the projection device and a device orientation adjustment structure operably coupled with the device interface. The device orientation adjustment structure has structure defining up to three independent axes for adjustment of projector pitch, roll, and yaw. A single selectively adjustable friction element may be provided to enable projector position to be fixed about for any one or all of the independent axes. A gear adjustment mechanism may be provided to enable fine adjustment of projector position. Moreover, any one or all of the independent axes may pass through the projector device, preferably proximate its center of gravity so that it is self balanced on the mount to ease adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Milestone AV Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jay Dittmer, Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 7965313
    Abstract: An airport security system includes a scanner scanning and time stamping an article of identification of an individual passing into a secure terminal area. The system further includes security cameras generating respective video signals of overlapping zones of coverage of the secure terminal area. The video signals are recorded and received in a controller generating a seamless video signal therefrom. Reversing of the seamless video signal allows visual tracking of a security breach in the secure terminal area from the time of breach identification scan and time stamp. Faster than real time forwarding of the seamless video signal allows tracking of the security breach from the time stamp to the breacher's present location within the secure terminal area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Geoffrey Orias
  • Patent number: 7952609
    Abstract: A networked digital security system is disclosed that preferably includes a centralized administrator web server coupled via a communication network such as the Internet to a plurality of customer servers and-a plurality of customer work stations. The centralized web server advantageously provides a point of control and management of the networked digital security system. The customer servers and customer work stations are preferably located at the customer's monitored sites. The customer servers are coupled to one or more intelligent camera units, which are preferably fully integrated intelligent units that gather, analyze, and transmit video, audio, and associated detected alarm event information to their associated customer server and the administrator web server. The camera units also include an intelligent automatic gain controller, an encoder buffer controller, and a network bandwidth priority controller. The system supports several compression algorithm standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Axcess International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim W. Simerly, Thomas Szo-Ho Tang, Amer M. Dutt, Philip K. Pledger, Keith D. Breton, Alan Kay
  • Patent number: 7940327
    Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which has a small size while it is capable of driving its image-pickup optical system in at least one of tilting and panning directions. The image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup unit which houses an image-pickup optical system and an image-pickup element that photoelectrically coverts an object image formed by the image-pickup optical system thereinside, a support member which rotatably supports the image-pickup unit, and an actuator which is housed inside the image-pickup unit and rotationally drives the image-pickup unit relative to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harushige Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110007164
    Abstract: The present invention is a remotely IP controlled concealed cam device and methods of use. The device includes a concealed cam to record video and audio functions, one or more power sources, a memory that includes an operating system, a network communications module, a web browser module, a web server module, an audio and video application that allows audio and video selection, switching and integration from other audio and video sources, one or more buses that communicate information between the transmitter, the concealed cam, the power sources and the memory and an exterior shape that encases the transmitter, the cam, the power sources, the memory and the buses. The exterior shape can be a suitcase, a water cooler, a drink cup, a fire extinguisher or a computer. There is also a communications network that allows a client system to remotely control the device and the cam of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Donald DiFrisco
  • Publication number: 20110007165
    Abstract: The present invention is a clock radio, cell phone docking, portable media player docking and remotely controlled concealed cam device and methods for use that includes an audio and video transmitter to control the concealed cam audio and video functions, with a software application that allows audio and video selection, switching and integration from other video sources, a network communication module, a web browser and a web server module. There is also a client system that allows a user to communicate with the device over the communications network to remotely control the concealed cam that is disposed behind the speaker grill within the interior portion of the clock radio, cell phone docking, portable media player docking and concealed cam device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Donald DiFrisco
  • Publication number: 20100321498
    Abstract: A surveillance and recording device through an original power outlet includes a photographing device as well as a display and recording device. The photographing device contains an image module, an image compression module and a first power line adapter module. The display and recording device includes a display and recording module, a storage device, a processor, an image decompression module and a second power line adapter module. The photographing device is installed in lighting and photographing equipment (e.g., a lamp-set or a night lamp) with a holding space, and a power connector of the lighting and photographing equipment fits with an ordinary power outlet. Therefore, having a photographing and surveillance function and able to be installed at an ordinary power outlet, the lighting and photographing equipment has a disguise effect, and enables a surveillance and recording system to be installed easily without setting up an image transmission wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Yu-Li KAO
  • Patent number: 7847820
    Abstract: A method that determines whether a detected event is a significant event requiring action in a video surveillance system. Determined event attributes and object attributes are analyzed to determine if the potential event should trigger an action by the surveillance system. If the potential event should trigger an action, at least one action is triggered. Actions may include relevant event attribute and object attribute information. Potential event may include events detected by a sensor, or external events communicated by an external system to the surveillance system. Event attributes may include location and type of the potential event. Object attributes may include an identification of an object, and attributes associated with the identified object. If an object cannot be positively identified, object attributes may include potential object identifications or determined group associations of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: 3VR Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Vallone, Stephen G. Russell, Thomas W. Kirkman, Marcus S. Marinelli, J. Andrew Freeman
  • Patent number: 7848637
    Abstract: A hidden camera disguised as a tissue box so as for the hidden camera to have the semblance of a tissue box includes: a base, a casing engaged with and fixed in position to the base, a battery chamber, a supporter positioned above the battery chamber and configured to support a tissue pack, and a camera unit including a lens unit and a printed circuit board. The lens unit includes a lens positioned immediately behind a lens aperture of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Talitor Far East Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fuk-Sang Liew
  • Publication number: 20100302372
    Abstract: A concealment (10) for equipment (E) including, among other things, imaging devices, audio equipment, and sensors. The concealment, which hides the equipment and prevents its detection by others comprises a frame (12) which, when assembled, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object (O). A covering (22) fits over the assembled frame. An outer surface (24) of the covering has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents. The frame provides a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment, with the equipment being positioned to provide surveillance of an area (A) within which the concealment is located. The frame and covering are both made from materials which do not interfere with the transmission of signals from the equipment to a monitoring site, nor the reception of signals from the monitoring site to the equipment installed within the concealment to control operation of the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: SENTRUS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard D. Weinstein, Ric L. Sauer
  • Publication number: 20100302373
    Abstract: Apparatus and systems suitable for discreet surveillance of a remote site or installation are provided. The security system may comprise one or more surveillance units and a main server unit. To facilitate discreet surveillance, the surveillance units may comprise one or more surveillance devices camouflaged by objects or utilities commonly used on the site or installation. Surveillance data collected by these camouflaged surveillance devices may be transmitted by the surveillance units to the main server unit. The main server unit may receive, analyze and/or store the surveillance data and/or results of the analysis. Analysis of the surveillance data may aid in detecting intrusions and/or obtaining intrusion-related information. Security systems comprising such surveillance units may be suitable for a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Michael G. Monsive, JR.
  • Patent number: 7819555
    Abstract: A street lamp includes a lampshade, a light source, a light pervious cover and a camera module. The light source is configured for generating light. The light pervious cover is mounted on the lampshade. A receiving space is defined between the light pervious cover and the lampshade. The light source is received in the receiving space. The lampshade is configured for shielding the light source and directing the light emitted from the light source to illuminate an object. The camera module is received in the receiving space. The camera module includes a lens facing the light pervious cover. The camera module is configured for capturing an image of the object illuminated by the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Jung Yu
  • Publication number: 20100259618
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital peephole viewer device, which integrates with a door lens assembly on a door board to acquire optical images captured by the door lens assembly, converts the optical images into digital images, and then presents the digital images. The digital peephole viewer device of the present invention comprises a housing, an image capture unit, a signal processing unit, a display unit and a connection means. The image capture unit has a first lens to receive the optical images captured by the door lens assembly. The signal processing unit converts the optical images into continuous dynamic digital images. The display unit presents the continuous dynamic digital images. The connection means integrates the housing with the door lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: BRINNO INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Shih-Che Chen
  • Patent number: 7811011
    Abstract: A camera arrangement includes a camera having a lens pointed at a pane and being separated from the pane. A light-guiding element is between the camera lens and the pane. The light-guiding element guides at least light which is incident on the pane in a grazing manner from a direction of incidence to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Blaesing, Gregor Boehne, Carsten Neumann
  • Publication number: 20100220192
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a privacy sensitive area, includes an image receiving device, such as a camera, disposed inside a housing chassis. The image receiving device includes a camera lens. Additionally, a movable obstruction member configured to selectively obstruct a camera lens is disposed on the device and is configured to change a position to selectively obstruct or expose the camera lens. The position of the movable obstruction member is dependent upon a threat level received by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Seth Cirker
  • Patent number: 7777810
    Abstract: A rotatable camera has a lens unit comprising a photographing head and an oblique driving shaft arranged in oblique position with the photographing head, a bearing support for pivotally mounting the photographing head inside, a motor and a driving gear set driven by the motor to in turn drive the oblique driving shaft to generate rotating motion, when the oblique shaft is in rotating motion, the photographing head of the lens unit immediately rotates and changes the angle of photographing so that the rotatable camera employs only a single motor to drive the photographing head of the lens unit to rapidly move to the direction to be monitored, particularly, due to no time delay any corners shall be monitored by the rotatable camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shao-Tsu Kung, Po-An Lin, Wen-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 7760230
    Abstract: A method of managing video data storage in a video surveillance system is disclosed. The disclosed methods extend the amount of calendar time for which video and image data can be stored on a storage device. The disclosed methods apply decision criteria, such as rules, configuration data and preferences, to support intelligent automatic reduction of stored surveillance data such that images and video data of most interest are maintained while less important data is deleted, compressed or archived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: 3VR Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Russell, Robert P. Vallone, J. Andrew Freeman, Stephen D. Fleischer, Gordon T. Haupt
  • Patent number: 7750937
    Abstract: A surveillance camera system is disclosed in which an image obtained by a surveillance camera controlled to be panned/tilted is displayed on a monitor. The system includes a tilt angle detector which detects a tilt angle of the surveillance camera, an inversion tilt angle storage which stores data of a plurality of the predetermined inversion tilt angles, an inversion tilt angle setting unit which selects and sets either or any one of the inversion tilt angles stored on the inversion tilt angle storage, a tilt angle comparing unit which compares the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle detector with the inversion tilt angle set by the inversion tilt angle setting unit, and an image inversion processing unit which carries out a process of inverting the image obtained by the surveillance camera upside down and symmetrizing the image bilaterally when the tilt angle is equal to or larger than the inversion tilt angle as a result of comparison by the tilt angle comparing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Elmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20100165107
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-contained covert surveillance system, comprising an enclosure having an outside appearance resembling a utility box and containing therein at least one camera, a processor, a data storage device, and a means for communications, wherein the enclosure has at least one surface that allows light to penetrate the surface and be captured by the camera. The invention may be further equipped With intake and exhaust fans and/or electric heating and cooling devices to expand the utility of the device to more extreme environmental conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: John Fred Rix, Benjamin Green
  • Patent number: 7733418
    Abstract: An encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system is provided, which is capable of righting itself into an upright, balanced position. The encapsulated self-balancing remote video camera system has a video camera, wireless communication means and balancing mass disposed within an internal, self-righting, inner structure. The inner structure is disposed within a transparent outer container, such that the inner structure may rotate within the outer container when resting upon a surface, such that the video camera rotates into an upright position by gravitational forces acting upon the balancing mass disposed with the inner structure. In addition, a remote operation means is provided, which enables a user of the present system to view video images transmitted from the video camera, and to remotely control movement of the lens and/or video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Alan Edward Kaplan, Edward M. Ulicki, Nicholas C. Korinis, II, Kenneth R. Jones
  • Patent number: 7726434
    Abstract: A holding fixture for a camera and a method for monitoring the surrounding area of a vehicle, using at least one camera, which is used to draw a holding fixture out of the body shell of a vehicle, as needed. The holding fixture is extended as a function of a speed signal or a transmission-setting signal, and, in addition to a camera, the holding fixture has a further device, in particular a washer device or a trunk handle. Furthermore, the holding fixture can be drawn out as a function of a signal from a control element. Holding fixtures having cameras can be attached at various positions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Pöchmüller
  • Patent number: 7725020
    Abstract: There is provided a monitoring camera apparatus which, while ensuring waterproofness, can perform focus adjustment when a dome cover is mounted. A lens (3) is covered by the dome cover (5) which is removable. A focus adjustment mechanism (9) moves an imaging device (7) in an optical axis direction and thereby performs focus adjustment. A setting button (13) being a focus setting operation unit is arranged in the inner side of the dome cover (5), and operated when the dome cover (5) is mounted. A controller (11) controls the focus adjustment mechanism (9). The controller (11) allows the focus adjustment mechanism (9) to start focus adjustment when a predetermined focus start wait time has elapsed after operation of the setting button (13). The focus start wait time is set according to a standard mounting operation time required to mount the dome cover (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tamotsu Uchida, Kazutaka Higuchi, Yasuji Nakamura, Koji Wakiyama, Joji Wada
  • Patent number: 7719610
    Abstract: A rotatable camera has a motor, a lens unit comprising a photographing head and a driving rod coupled to the photographing head, a spherical bearing support for pivotally mounting the photographing head, and a rotatable disc driven in rotation motion by the motor to drive the driving rod of the lens unit move along a spiral shaped locus, and, when the motor is driven, the photographing head is at the same time driven by the driving rod to rotate and change its angular position, so that the rotatable camera employs only a single motor to drive the photographing head of the lens unit to rapidly move to the direction to be monitored, particularly, due to no time delay any corners shall be monitored by the rotatable camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shao-Tsu Kung, Po-An Lin, Yung-Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 7705887
    Abstract: A terminal device 1 including a wireless communication unit 11 is carried by a subject user who will become a subject, and a wireless communication unit 21 for performing directional data communication in an imaging direction is provided in a camera 2. When the terminal device 1 and the camera 2 become able to communicate data each other, the subject user carrying the terminal device 1 is photographed, and image data obtained in this way are transmitted to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 displays the image data. If necessary, the subject user issues an instruction to print the image data, and transmits information on the instruction to print to the camera 2. The camera 2 assigns the information on the instruction to print to the image data, and transmits the information on the instruction to print and the image data to an image server 4 and further to a printer 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Hisayoshi Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 7699691
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for enclosed volumes having payloads of electronic or other equipment that are susceptible to failures when overheated. One particularly useful application of the present invention is in a cooling system for a turreted gimbaled system (i.e. a gimbal) that includes electronic and optical equipment typically used for surveillance, but many other applications will become apparent to those skilled in the art after being taught by the present disclosure. According to one aspect of the invention, a cooling system includes a pair of reciprocal openings between a gimbal sphere and yoke allowing for passage of air therethrough and a pair of fans for circulating the air between the sphere and yoke, thereby expanding the surface area available for heated air from the interior to conduct into the exterior air. In another example, a heat exchanger is provided in the yoke to allow further cooling of the circulated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Sonoma EO, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan A. Voigt, Keir John Batson, Daryl Lee Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7697026
    Abstract: A pipeline architecture for analyzing multiple streams of video is embodied, in part, in a layer of application program interfaces (APIs) to each stage of processing. Buffer queuing is used between some stages, which helps moderate the load on the CPU(s). Through the layer of APIs, innumerable video analysis applications can access and analyze video data flowing through the pipeline, and can annotate portions of the video data (e.g., frames and groups of frames), based on the analyses performed, with information that describes the frame or group. These annotated frames and groups flow through the pipeline to subsequent stages of processing, at which increasingly complex analyses can be performed. At each stage, portions of the video data that are of little or no interest are removed from the video data. Ultimately, “events” are constructed and stored in a database, from which cross-event and historical analyses may be performed and associations with, and among, events may be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: 3VR Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Vallone, J. Andrew Freeman, Stephen G. Russell
  • Patent number: 7690851
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus, for example, a security camera, having a camera assembly including a camera mounted on and supported by a base and pivotally rotatable both in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction to allow tilting and panning motions of the camera. The camera assembly is supported on an assembly fixation structure of the base to allow the tilting motion of the camera assembly. The assembly fixation structure is panned relative to a base foot of the base. A panning rotation gear for the panning motions of the camera is fixed on a ground plate, which has a positional change relative to a pedestal plate unit in the assembly fixation structure. A tilting motor, a panning motor, and vertical and horizontal rotation transmission mechanisms for the tilting motions and the panning motions of the camera are arranged on the pedestal plate unit of the assembly fixation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Elmo Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akira Yamane, Eiji Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20100073481
    Abstract: A multimedia system for deployment along ceilings and/or walls within a monitored environment (store, warehouse, manufacturing, government operations) that can provide two-way visual information, enable two-way wireless data communication between floor-based equipment/personnel/products and local and/or remote servers. A surface-mounted system can reduce or eliminating the need for physical cabling and can enable product/person RFID tracking capabilities within a monitored environment. Feature consolidation reduces energy consumption requirements and expense of deployment. The multimedia system can be universally used in retail, transportation hub, manufacturing environments and government environments and for varied applications given its capability to enable bidirectional communications and data management for real time assessment and archival purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Kaltenbach, Luke Nihlen, Luis M. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7671890
    Abstract: A covert all-weather roving camera security system includes a monorail track, at least one self-propelled trolley able to move itself back and forth continuously along the monorail track, and a plurality of surveillance cameras attached to the trolley. A housing completely encloses the monorail track and the trolley and has a sunshield on its top to protect the cameras from overheating and a filtered window on its sides and bottom to prevent human eyes from seeing in the housing while permitting the cameras to see out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Edwin W. Wentworth
  • Patent number: 7667733
    Abstract: A computer monitor receiver for monitoring children's internet usage. The computer monitor receiver includes a video tap assembly operationally coupled between a video output and a video display device of an information handling system for routing a monitoring video signal, a signal transmission assembly for conditioning the monitoring video signal for transmission through a propagation channel, a receiver assembly for conditioning a signal received through the propagation channel and a video presentation device for displaying a real time substantially identical image of the video provided to a user being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: David L. Oswald
  • Patent number: 7659922
    Abstract: The invention consists of a system and method for transferring video images from video sources to video receivers using a video server as an intermediary. The video server creates a list of all the requests from the video receivers for a video image from a video source. The video server requests the video image from the video source and then sends the video image to each video receiver on the list. The video source is only required to send one image for any number of requests from video receivers and the video sources and video receivers have no direct connection to each other. The load of handling many video sources and many video receivers can be distributed amongst multiple video servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell Silent Witness Inc.
    Inventors: David Black, Jeremy Craig Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090304217
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a holder coupled to the housing, an output device coupled to the housing, and a cable module. The cable module includes a cable configured to move relative to the cable module and connect with a portable media device located within the holder to communicate a media signal from the portable media device to the output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SHARPER IMAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard J. Thalheimer, Edward C. McKinney, Frederick M. Schechter, Eric C. Blair, Shek Fai Lau
  • Patent number: 7627235
    Abstract: An environmental protection system features a clear spinning curved volumetric enclosure to shed and throw off environmental contaminants such as rain, fog and dust that would affect a sensor image. The described design is especially suitable for cameras with extremely wide fields of view, such as panoramic or immersive cameras. Alternate forms of volumetric enclosures are described for different lens arrangements in compound camera systems. In all of these embodiments it is possible to keep the cover and the mechanism spinning it invisible to the cameras. An additional modification of the shape of the volumetric enclosure is described that prevents any accumulation of liquid drops within the fields of view of the sensors within the spinning volumetric enclosure. Alternate forms of construction with air and magnetic bearings are described for smoother and quieter operation of the spinning enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Immersive Media Company
    Inventors: David McCutchen, Craig Adkins
  • Publication number: 20090290023
    Abstract: A surveillance system that is comprised of an environmentally sealed metal cabinet enclosure consisting of high impact resistant metal, said enclosure consists of a metal back and having two equal metal sides and an equal top and bottom pieces that are framed and fastened in such a manner as to form a framed rectangular metal box style enclosure. A front mounted metal access door with two recessed metal hinges, a rubberized gasket to form a seal and an attached locking device and handle complete the cabinet enclosure. Side access ports of at least one per side, and generally being round in nature provide a side access point to the interior of the cabinet, said access ports provide a mounting point for the generally hollow camera mounting arm to be attached to each side of said cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: JASON GUY LEFORT, LAURA CHRISTINE ROSS
  • Patent number: 7619508
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with an electrochromic reflective element having a front portion and a rear portion generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element has an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has a transflective third-surface mirror reflector that is at least 15 percent transmitting to visible light and that is at least 40 percent reflective to visible light. A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector. The video display is back lit by at least one light source, and the video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, John O. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 7616229
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a surveillance camera apparatus, comprising: a housing assembly having a slanted plate portion with an inner surface; and a camera assembly accommodated in said housing assembly, said slanted plate portion forming part of said housing assembly defining an opening therein, said opening having a central axis thereof, said opening having an imaginary inner surface flush with said inner surface of said slanted plate portion forming part of said housing assembly, and said imaginary inner surface of said opening having the shape of a circle, said camera assembly, including: a stationary member; a pan shaft having a pan axis thereof, said pan shaft being supported by said stationary member to be revolvable around said pan axis; a retaining member integrally formed with said pan shaft; a tilt shaft having a tilt axis thereof, said tilt shaft being retained by said retaining member to be revolvable around said tilt axis under the state that said tilt axis of said tilt shaft is in perpendicular rela
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Jouji Wada, Tetsurou Kajino, Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Gil Palma Guerrero, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7609321
    Abstract: A surveillance television camera includes a base mounted on an installation surface, a rotating disc rotatably mounted on the base, a tilt shaft mounted on the installation disc for holding the surveillance television camera, the tilt shaft and the rotating disc being remotely controlled so as to be rotated, and a protecting cover mounted on the base mounted on the installation surface so as to cover the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Elmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yamane