Abstract: The present invention provides a compact case for a surveillance camera having exterior notches, recesses and/or grooves for accommodating the electronic receptors, connectors, wires and/or cables leading from the back of the camera. The case is designed for use with a specialized mounting system and covers, or to fit inside a secure enclosure having the same overall (and minimal) profile as the camera case itself which eliminate exposure of the electronic components in the notches to the outside. An adjustable protective base is provided in one embodiment.

Abstract: A housing assembly permitting the adjustable positioning a surveillance camera enclosed therein. The housing assembly comprises a housing having a cylindrical camera opening therein for receiving the surveillance camera., a camera sled, a detachable lens assembly. The camera sled holds the surveillance camera and is slidably receivable in and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the camera opening. The camera sled includes positioning means for adjustably fixing the position and orientation of the camera sled assembly within the camera opening. The ballistic lens assembly encloses the camera sled and surveillance camera within the housing. In an alternate embodiment the housing assembly further comprises a pan and tilt mechanism which permits the housing assembly to be manually position within a predetermined range of pan and tilt and acts as a wireway for the camera cabling.

Abstract: An omnidirectional camera device is able to restrict a range in which images of objects are picked up. This omnidirectional camera device comprises a rotationally-symmetric convex mirror (24) fixedly attached to one end of a transparent tube assembly (20), an image pickup means (32) disposed on the other end of the tube assembly in an opposing relation to this convex mirror and a cover assembly (60) disposed on the tube assembly for restricting the range in which light becomes incident on the convex mirror. The cover assembly is mounted on one end side of the tube assembly. The cover assembly is a shielding cover assembly and includes a cover member (60B). The cover assembly is attached to the tube assembly so as to become freely rotatable. The direction and the range in which images of objects should be picked up may be adjusted by the attachment position of the cover assembly and a shielding angle &agr; of the cover assembly.

Abstract: A surveillance system is provided including a platform having a plurality and variety of cameras or sensors mounted thereto, and a base enclosure adapted to accommodate a power supply, a variety of electronics and other equipment for controlling and providing power to the surveillance equipment. The base is constructed to be tamper resistant and immovable by manual means. A substantially hollow support pole includes a lower portion detachably mounted to the base, and an upper portion mounted to the platform. Wires and cables for connecting the surveillance equipment with the electronics and power supply are run through the support pole. Power to the system may be supplied through existing power sources, for example a 120V power source.

Abstract: A holder for a ball-shaped camera case for holding the camera case containing a TV camera to a fixed mounting structure such as a wall, ceiling and the like includes a ring-shaped holder having an outer thread and an inner curved rim with a curvature radius of the camera case. The holder further includes an elongated cover having a flanged rim at one end and a portion of hemispherical shape at another end. An elongated cutout wider than a pane of a lens of the camera is made in the elongated cover for providing an optical path for the lens and gripping the camera case inside that portion of hemispherical shape. A locking nut is tightened onto the outer thread of the elongated cylindrical cover. The locking nut has an inner shoulder for locking the cover to the ring-shaped holder. The cylindrical cover can be rotated for positioning the cutout around the axis of the hemispherical portion within the length of the cutout and the optical path is not obstructed.

Abstract: A camera operating apparatus for operating at least one camera unit at an operation speed which is to be changed by an operator, comprises a retainer having an operation surface, a joystick mounted on the retainer and having a center axis, the joystick being pivotable at an inclination angle between the center axes of the joystick positioned at first and second angular positions, angle signal inputting means for inputting an angle signal indicative of the inclination angle of the joystick, a plurality of keys each operatively arranged on the retainer to perform a key-pushed action and a key-released action, each of the keys being operative to input a speed signal indicative of the key-pushed action thereof, the keys including a specified key selected for the operation speed of the camera unit desired by the operator, information recording means for recording specific relevant information between the angle signal inputted from the angle signal inputting means and the speed signal inputted from the specified ke

Abstract: A housing for a surveillance camera has an upper housing that is cylindrical and made of steel or the like to withstand ballistic attack. The upper housing houses the pan-and-tilt mechanism, which is suspended from the inside of the upper housing. The camera is carried by the pan-and-tilt mechanism, and extends into a lower, transparent, housing. An inner liner is within the lower housing and covers the camera, the inner liner being made of hardened aluminum or the like to withstand ballistic attack. The inner liner covers the camera, except that a slot allows the camera lens to receive images through the lower housing. A shield is fixed to the camera to move with the camera, covering the slot in the inner liner, the shield defining one opening for the camera lens. The inner liner and the shield are dark in color to prevent visual location of the camera lens, and a polymeric guard physically protects the camera lens.

Abstract: An improved system and method for obtaining photogrammetric measurements which eliminates optical distortions created by thermal gradients on windows that are used to protect the photogrammetry camera. A gate valve is introduced between the window and the wall that opens for a limited time to allow the camera to take measurements of a test article contained within a thermal testing chamber. This limits or eliminates any thermal gradients on the window and improves photogrammetric measurements. With a gate valve the window can be removed entirely, as the gate valve can prevent a thermal gradient from being introduced to the lens of the photogrammetry camera. The improved system is suited for making close-in photogrammetric measures of test articles on earth.

Abstract: A movable camera apparatus including a camera unit and a pan head which has a movable portion and a fixed portion includes first and second support portions erected from the movable portion for supporting the camera unit from the opposite sides thereof for tilt rotation, a first circuit board disposed in the camera unit, a second circuit board disposed on the fixed portion, and a connecting member for connecting the first and second circuit boards together. The center of gravity of the camera unit is disposed near the center line of the tilt rotation, and tilt rotation driving means is provided on the first support portion, and the connecting member is disposed on the second support portion.

Abstract: The invention provides an environmental shroud (490, 590) and a camera assembly (40, 50) including such environmental shroud (490, 590) which absorbs and dissipates heat energy that is not reflected and/or deflected from radiation and heat energy that is generated by the contents of the camera housing so that the camera housing temperature does not exceed the maximum rated temperature. In one embodiment, the camera assembly (40) includes a camera housing (430) which has a mounting cap (440) attached to sidewalls (426) to which is attached an optical surface (135). The camera housing encloses a camera system. An environmental shroud (490) is attached to the camera housing and includes a plurality of vertical strips (441,445) situated concentrically with the camera housing (430) and with each other with gaps being present between the vertical strips (441, 445) and between the camera housing (430).

Abstract: A device for mounting a structure, such as a video camera, on a support includes a base and an arm projecting from the base. The video camera rests on one surface of the base and another surface rests on the support. The arm is adapted for insertion into a recessed cavity in the support, such as an antenna hole in a television set to provide a stable mounting device for the video camera. The angle of the video camera can be altered by pivoting the camera around the arm.

Abstract: An image system which captures, along with the images, information defining both the position and the orientation of the camera along with the distance to the subject. A video camera is attached to three accelerometers, two gyroscopes, and a rangefinder. Data gathered from these devices and defining the pitch, yaw, and roll of the camera, the camera's acceleration, and the distance to the subject is captured and recorded along with video images. The video images are later stored within a computer's data base along with data defining the position and orientation of the camera and the distance to the subject for each image, this latter data being computed from the captured data. The images may then be presented to the user in a three-dimensional display in which the user can navigate through the images using a joystick device, with the images located in positions corresponding to the positions in space of the objects that were imaged.

Abstract: A remote controlled television monitoring system for day and night monitoring includes a camera unit in the form of a housing having first and second cameras. The first camera principally monitors during daylight conditions; while the second camera monitors during low light or night conditions. The second camera preferably has a high low light sensitivity. Both of the cameras have automatic iris over ride for manual control of the camera iris. Each of the cameras optionally has an azimuth generator to indicate angular position of the camera. An adjustable zoom lens is coupled to each of the cameras. In one aspect, a light intensifier is coupled between the lens and the second camera for intensifying light received by the second camera. The light intensifier preferably has internal automatic brightness control.

Abstract: A camera housing is fixed against rotation in a cavity in a backbox which is mounted in a ceiling. The housing carries a camera module which is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the housing, the module in turn carrying a camera which is pivotable about a horizontal axis with respect to the module. The housing is held in place in the cavity by a locking ring which is received around the camera module and engages a backbox ring fixed to the backbox. The locking ring has an outward facing cylindrical surface which is concentrically received in an inward facing cylindrical surface of the backbox ring. The surface on the locking ring has cam followers which ride up a cam ridge on the surface of the backbox ring as the locking ring is rotated, in order to position the camera housing in the backbox. A spring loaded detent mechanism holds the locking ring in the locked position until it is counter-rotated to overcome the spring force.

Abstract: In a panhead device (1) which supports an image sensing apparatus (100) on a panhead (2) and pivots the image sensing apparatus (100) in the pan or tilt direction, a pan pivot shaft (43) stands upright on a base (49) of the device, and a tilt pivot shaft (25) is horizontally disposed above that shaft. The shaft (25) is disposed to be offset in front of the shaft (43). Principal constituting members of a tilting mechanism are disposed behind the shaft (25).

Abstract: A parts-mounted member includes plural portions having different surfaces respectively on which parts are mounted. The portions are rotatably connected to each other. The portions are fixed to each other and the surfaces thereof are held in a fixed angular relation after the parts are mounted on the surfaces. The portions may include first and second portions which are held perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A built-in camera installed in an equipment for taking a photograph of a desired portion of an object to be photographed is positioned by (i) preparing a sensor which transmits a detection signal when it detects the object to be photographed, (ii) defining, when the detection signal varies by a predetermined value or greater, a certain portion of the object situated along the sensor axis as a particular portion of the object, (iii) determining in advance the desired portion of the object to be photographed relative to the particular portion of the object, (iv) fixing an optical axis of the built-in camera relative to the sensor axis in such a manner that the optical axis of the built-in camera is directed toward the desired portion of the object when the sensor axis is directed toward the particular portion of the object, (v) changing an orientation of the sensor axis toward the particular portion of the object, and (vi) causing the built-in camera to take a photograph of the object when the detection signal

Abstract: A mounting plate and locking key are arranged to mount a camera lens housing to a faceplate. The lens housing extends through a hole in the mounting plate so that an end of the lens housing is aligned with a hole in the faceplate. The mounting plate is a thin, elongate rectangle having a raised central portion and a pair of support members extending in opposite directions therefrom. The locking key is a thin elongate rectangle having a generally U-shaped opening formed in one end. The locking key is inserted between the faceplate and the raised central portion of the mounting plate. The U-shaped opening is then in alignment with the hole in the mounting plate so that edges of the U-shaped opening are engaged with the lens housing.

Abstract: A camera mount (10) for a surveillance camera provides for adjusting the tilt of the surveillance camera (48) relative to the mounting surface for the camera mount inside an environmental camera enclosure or housing (44). The camera mount (10) includes a base plate (12) that is linearly adjustably attached to a mounting surface inside the environmental camera enclosure. A camera tilt table (16) is pivotally attached to the camera mount base plate (12) in a manner to permit the camera tilt table to pivot relative to the base plate in order to tilt the camera to vary the viewing angle of the camera relative to the mounting surface on which the environmental camera enclosure is mounted. The camera tilt table (16) includes an adjustment mechanism (26, 34) for permitting the camera installer to adjust the tilt or angle of the camera tilt table, and therefore the viewing angle of the surveillance camera, relative to the mounting surface on which the environmental camera enclosure is mounted.

Abstract: An image input apparatus includes a camera unit for converting image information from an optical system into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal, a pan head having a control mechanism for at least two axes, a sensor for detecting the attitude of the image input apparatus, and a controller for controlling the control mechanism of the pan head on the basis of the attitude of the image input apparatus detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an intruder into an area to be guarded is provided. The system includes a plurality of detection units, each of the plurality of detection units having at least one infrared sensor and having a first field of view external to and directed generally along the perimeter, and located within the area to be guarded. The infrared sensor may be a passive sensor. The detection units include a camera for recording intrusion within a second field of view and a controller. The controller is responsive to output of the infrared sensor, for determining when an intruder has entered the first field of view, whereupon an operator activates the camera.

Abstract: A surveillance camera assembly has an apparatus (9-15) for providing a rotatable field of view in a plane with a tilted mirror (15) rotatable about an axis normal to the plane, and a window (5) subtending at least a 90.degree. field of view and as much as a substantially continuous 360.degree. field of view in the plane. The window has a plurality of flat, parallel-surfaced panes (6) forming a polygon in the plane, each of the panes (6) having the same trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to single use cameras. In particular it relates to a single use camera that incorporates a motion sensor. The motion sensor enables automatic activation of various camera features and utilities. These include the automatic activation of such normal camera actions as shutter release and the taking of a photograph, activation of a flash unit either to aid in the taking of a photograph or as a warning or signaling device and activation of an incorporated audible alarm.

Abstract: A housing for a surveillance camera is generally dome shaped, the camera being movable therein, and the interior of the housing is under pressure to exclude contaminants. The housing is made up of an assembly plate having a central opening to receive a lower dome therethrough, with an upper enclosure placed on top of the assembly plate. The lower dome and upper enclosure are sealed to the assembly plate to retain gas under pressure within the interior. An accessory bracket is carried by the assembly plate within the upper enclosure, and a surveillance camera is mounted from the accessory bracket. An upper dome may be placed over the upper enclosure as a sun shield. In installing the housing, a mounting bracket is first installed, then the assembly plate is carried by the mounting bracket. The lower dome is put into place, followed by the accessory bracket, the upper enclosure, and finally the upper dome. Subsequently, the interior can be pressurized by the introducing gas through the valve.

Abstract: A pan/tilt device consists of a pan motor and a tilt motor on a motor mount structure, a camera mount structure rotatable by the pan motor about the pan axis, a camera bracket on the camera mount structure rotatable by the tilt motor along the tilt axis. A pair of concentric drive shafts extend from the motor mount structure to the camera mount structure to accomplish the pan and tilt functions. The pan/tilt device is capable of remote operation over a computer network.

Abstract: A security system includes a camera connected to a motion sensor for detecting motion in the vicinity of the camera, the system having a stand-by state in which the motion sensor is active and a ready state wherein triggering of the motion sensor again causes the camera to capture an image. The image enables a burglar to be identified. Entry deterrent including a source of liquid including a dye, a UV-responsive marker, and an irritant liquid may be included. Chillies pickled in vinegar are a suitable irritant.

Abstract: A surveillance camera mounting apparatus formed from a lightweight, elastically deformable material, such as foam plastic, for mounting a surveillance camera in a transparent enclosure of the type used on a building surface such as a ceiling or wall. The mounting apparatus comprises an elastically deformable body element which includes a camera-receiving opening for receiving and holding a surveillance camera therein. The resiliency of the body element enables a portion of the body element which surrounds the camera-receiving opening to elastically deform thereby permitting the camera-receiving opening to dilate to accommodate the surveillance camera. Due to its resiliency, the body element resists such deformation and the camera-receiving opening closes around the surveillance camera and conforms to the camera thereby holding the camera within the opening.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a computer-controlled miniature pan/tilt tracking mount for the precise control of position, velocity, and acceleration of small payloads (e.g., a video camera). The invention consists of a motorized rotational tilt axis mounted atop a motorized rotational pan axis. For both axes, a worm gear mounted upon the motor shaft bidirectionally rotates a worm wheel mounted upon the orthogonal load axis shaft. A large ratio of motor size to armature weight provides high relative torque, speed, and accuracy. The worm gears provide compact reduction with minimal backlash and they can hold position without energized motors to conserve power for battery-operated uses. The invention includes integrated motor drive power electronics and microcontroller execution of host computer commands to effect precise control of pan/tilt mount speed, acceleration, position, configuration, and motor and electronics power consumption.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a surveillance camera includes a base plate, a swivel assembly and an elongated housing interconnecting the two. The base plate and housing include wire openings formed therein that cooperate to define a wire pathway through the housing. The swivel assembly includes a ball and socket arrangement by which the position of the camera may be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A camera positioning assembly including a backing board, a base member connected to said backing board about an axis, a gear adapted for rotational movement, an arm connected to said gear and said base member for moving said base member about said axis in order that rotational movement of said gear is translated into rotational movement of said base member and a servo-controller that controls the rotational movement of said gear.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing and protecting a device adapted to be continuously aimed at an external target object. The enclosure includes inner and outer windowed portions which are movable relative to one another in response to movements of the device. The outer window is elongated and oriented around the tilt axis of the device to provide a line of sight to the target object at all times in response to tilting rotation of the device. The inner window is smaller and extends transversely of the outer window. Because the outer enclosure portion or dome overlies the inner enclosure portion or dome it blocks the line of sight to the target object except when the inner window is in registry with the outer window. When this occurs a relatively small opening affords a clear line of sight. The opening is small enough to limit wind loads to an acceptable level, so the opening is preferably left uncovered.

Abstract: A small size camera assembly or micro-intelligent eye of the invention is formed of a spherical member operating as a rotor, a camera body embedded in the spherical member, and a driving device attached to the spherical member for rotating the same. The camera body has a front end and is situated on a diametrical line of the spherical member such that the front end is disposed at least on an outer surface of the spherical member. The driving device and the spherical member constitute a spherical supersonic motor, so that the spherical member can be smoothly moved as desired.

Abstract: A surveillance camera assembly housing is releasably locked to a base for the housing. The base is installed in a ceiling or at another location remote from ground level. A removal tool provided at the end of a pole has fingers which are inserted into apertures in the assembly housing. The tool engages the assembly housing by means of the fingers, while also being operated to release a mechanism which secures the housing to the base. The housing, now secured to the tool, is removed from the base and brought to ground level. In this way, removal of the surveillance camera is accomplished without resort to ladders or scaffolding.

Abstract: An adjustable device for a monitor camera includes a-cone-shaped body which has an opening at a decreasing end, a cylindrical projection, a cushion with a rough surface, a spherical body with a link extended axially and a cylindrical cover having two ends one of which has a plurality of barbs and a number of stripes thereon, the other end has an arc hole. A peripheral side wall of the end has a plurality of ribs extended latitudinally and a plurality of stripes thereon. The ribs connect with the cylindrical projection which projects out from the opening and has a seat on a distal end. The cushion is configured and situated within the seat of the cylindrical projection. The spherical body then rests on the cushion after the link is inserted through the arc hole and the barbs are inserted into the holes and firmly engage with the peripheral side wall of the inner surface.

Abstract: A motion detection and imaging method and device 10 for carrying out the method are provided. The device 10 comprises a housing 12 containing a CCD 18 for providing digital image data, a lens 16 for focusing an image on the CCD 18 and a solid state non-volatile memory 24 for storing the digital image data. In one embodiment, the device includes a motion detector 26 for triggering the storage of the digital data.

Abstract: Recording/reproducing apparatus including recording electronics and playback electronics and a radio receiver responsive to a selected television signal for supplying a composite video signal to the recording electronics at selected times are contained within a unitary package designed to rest on a surface. A video camera supplies composite video signal for selective application to the recording electronics at other times, the supplying of those composite video signals to said recording electronics being done by means other than cabling from the video camera to the unitary package. The video camera is included within the same unitary package as the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus in some systems, thus to eliminate cabling from the video camera to the unitary package.