With Camouflage Structure (e.g., Spy Camera) Patents (Class 396/433)
  • Patent number: 11841605
    Abstract: A trail camera mounting and camouflaging device having a trail camera mounting point and a mounting bracket for mounting the camouflaging device to a substrate, such as a tree or other material. The camouflaging device has a series of flexible arms that extend outward away from the mounting bracket. The flexible arms are configured to be bent and otherwise manipulated into retaining the shape of the bend or manipulation. Each flexible arms has one or more fingers attached to the flexible arm. The fingers can utilize a flexible material such as a twist tie or can otherwise be configured with a clipping or clamping motion to attach foliage to the fingers. The flexible arms and fingers are configured to be manipulated and bent into position, such that foliage or other material camouflages the trails camera without blocking the sensor(s) of the trail camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Corporation
    Inventor: Darwin A. Clampitt
  • Patent number: 11618390
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotatable camera mount capable of capturing images/video in one or more directions. The rotatable camera mount may be capable of capturing images/video in a direction in which an object (e.g., vehicle) is traveling. The rotatable camera mount may be capable of being rotated in a direction of airflow traveling across the camera mount. The rotatable camera mount may be capable of being directly/indirectly engaged with a mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Swivel Mount LLC
    Inventor: Troy Carl Puchini
  • Patent number: 11292610
    Abstract: A camera module for surveillance of a passenger cabin of an aircraft, including a covering device for securing in a longitudinal cutout of a service channel including a carrier part having a circular securing cutout and including a mounting structure at least partly surrounding the securing cutout. A camera device includes a camera housing having a mounting portion with a spherically curved outer surface, and includes a camera unit having a lens accommodated in a front cutout of the camera housing, an optical sensor for generating image data, the optical sensor being in an interior of the camera housing, and a data interface for transferring the image data, wherein the camera housing is mounted by the mounting portion in the mounting structure to be rotatable or pivotable about at least two axes, and a locking device for locking the camera housing relative to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Brüchmann
  • Patent number: 9228731
    Abstract: A bulb comprises a lower case, a circuit board, an upper case, a sleeve, a sensor cap, and a camera. The lower case is provided with an electrical contact portion at a bottom thereof. The circuit board is mounted within the lower case and provided with a plurality of light emitting elements and an infrared sensor. The upper case is mounted on an upper edge of the lower case and defines an opening at a center thereof. The sleeve is mounted to the lower case and fitted with the opening of the upper case. The sensor cap is mounted on top of the sleeve. The camera is located adjacent to the infrared sensor. Thereby, when an infrared source enters the sensing scope of the infrared sensor, the camera can be triggered to take images and the light emitting elements can be turned on to perform illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Kaipo Chen
  • Patent number: 8632264
    Abstract: A unit which includes a camera includes a movable member which can close an optical input port to the camera to provide a zone of privacy in the vicinity of the unit. The member can be moved manually or remotely by electrical signals, or received wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Paul Schmit, John M. Kovach, Robert John Probin
  • Patent number: 8622561
    Abstract: A luminaire (100) includes a lamp housing (2) having an outer surface (42), and a cover (14) extends a height (1) above the outer surface (42). A camera (12) is concealed within the cover (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Carmody
  • Patent number: 8382387
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a surveillance camera platform, and house supporting devices in a streetlight housing is disclosed. The device and method uses a cobra head, clamshell style streetlight housings with a lens between the housing sections to increase the volume of the housing. The system uses a lens for capturing image with the camera systems. The camera systems include data transmittal and receiving devices that allow the receipt of data to control the camera systems and the transmission of any necessary image and other data collected with systems contained within the housing. The lens is camouflaged by using a color that matches the rest of the housing. LEDs and reflector are used to provide the lighting function of the streetlight and to further provide space wile reducing heat within the housing. An internal fan is contemplated to further cool the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Shaun C. Sandoval
  • Patent number: 8249444
    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 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Ericka A. Peterson, Richard A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8137009
    Abstract: A privacy ensuring camera enclosure with a camera enclosing configuration and a surveillance configuration wherein the camera enclosing configuration entirely surrounds a surveillance camera such that it is visibly removed from a privacy sensitive area, thereby preserving the expected level of privacy in the privacy sensitive area; the enclosure is configured to dynamically change from the camera enclosing configuration to the surveillance configuration in response to a heightened threat level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Seth Cirker
  • Patent number: 8123419
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Seth Cirker
  • 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: 7874744
    Abstract: A privacy ensuring camera enclosure with a camera enclosing configuration and a surveillance configuration wherein the camera enclosing configuration entirely surrounds a surveillance camera such that it is visibly removed from a privacy sensitive area, thereby preserving the expected level of privacy in the privacy sensitive area; the enclosure is configured to dynamically change from the camera enclosing configuration to the surveillance configuration in response to a heightened threat level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Seth Cirker
  • Patent number: 7853142
    Abstract: A system for visually capturing and monitoring the contents and events surrounding a cargo container is provided. The system includes an image capture device, a control device, and an image processing device. This system may be used for both visible and infrared images. The image capture device may be situated on the container door, and record images at a more frequent rate if it is determined that an event has occurred based on comparison of successive images. Image compression techniques may also be used to transmit captured and computed images back to a central monitoring station where they can be viewed and further analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: System Planning Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Meyers, Roy Smith
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7621680
    Abstract: A clamp mechanism for securing an in-ceiling surveillance camera housing assembly to a ceiling. The clamping mechanism advantageously allows easy installation of the camera housing in the ceiling via a camera housing aperture without requiring a large access aperture adjacent the camera housing aperture. The clamping mechanism also allows easy removal of the housing if, for some reason, the housing must be removed because the clamping mechanism is bidirectional and may be stowed within a groove on an outer surface of the housing. Once the clamping mechanism lowers a clamp to secure the housing assembly to the ceiling, a window and trim ring assembly is locked to the housing assembly to discourage removal of the window and trim ring assembly and prevent access to the clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: William C Frick, Kathleen E Arnold, Theodore L Jones
  • Patent number: 7534056
    Abstract: A trail camera having one or more hinges to provide pivoting of the trail camera after mounting to a fixed object is disclosed. The hinges allow pivoting of a housing and/or a camera section after the trail camera is mounted to enable a user to direct the trail camera towards a target location to capture an image regardless of the particular mounting orientation of the camera. Such a configuration enables the trail camera to be mounted at a vertical elevation above the target location while still recording events in proximity to the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Bushnell Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Cross, Darin Stephens
  • Publication number: 20090080878
    Abstract: A privacy ensuring camera enclosure with a camera enclosing configuration and a surveillance configuration wherein the camera enclosing configuration entirely surrounds a surveillance camera such that it is visibly removed from a privacy sensitive area, thereby preserving the expected level of privacy in the privacy sensitive area; the enclosure is configured to dynamically change from the camera enclosing configuration to the surveillance configuration in response to a heightened threat level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Seth Cirker
  • Patent number: 7460777
    Abstract: A reflective tube centered on a lens of a camera is used in covert wide-angle photography in which and at least one reflected annular image is rotated by 180° to register it with the open-hole (zero-order) image to obtain a wide-angle corrected image. Any exposure differences in reflected images are balanced (or matched to the zero-order image) and rotation of odd-order image(s) is done by dedicated electronics of the camera or a later computer program to align such images with the zero-order image while the photograph is taken of an object using a tube which is no longer than approximately 1/100th the distance of the photographic subject. The reflective tube can be a transparent material (such as Plexiglas®) whose outer surface is painted black to block stray light which would otherwise be transmitted by walls of the tube and to absorb second-surface reflections from inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen P. Hines
  • Patent number: 7413357
    Abstract: A concealed camera comprising a housing, a subminiature camera and a peep hole of very small size through which the camera may perceive a large field of vision. With a high resolution camera and the tiny peep hole, the camera may be positioned or located in plain view as concealed within a myriad of functional objects, such as a clock, reflector, light or any other common looking device in the area of desired view or surveillance. Multiple concealed cameras may by employed and perhaps synchronized in a surveillance system such that the downstream viewed image may be automatically switched from one image to another as desired by the system user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Silverstate Safety Image
    Inventor: Edward Badalian
  • Patent number: 7286289
    Abstract: A surveillance window including at least one set of linear polarizer and quarter-waveplate and a reflecting surface. The surveillance window appears dull and opaque to a subject, while allowing a relatively high percentage of light to be transmitted to an observer. Various enhancements including an illuminator and detector, camouflaging, fire resistance, and improvements to the opacity are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Xavier Bengoechea, Francesco Finizio, Richard Grich
  • Patent number: 7187498
    Abstract: A surveillance window including at least one set of linear polarizer and quarter-waveplate and a reflecting surface. The surveillance window appears dull and opaque to a subject, while allowing a relatively high percentage of light to be transmitted to an observer. Various enhancements including an illuminator and detector, camouflaging, fire resistance, and improvements to the opacity are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Xavier Bengoechea, Francesco Finizio, Richard Grich
  • Patent number: 6744980
    Abstract: An enclosure for a wildlife surveillance system includes a base configured to house the surveillance system, and a cover coupled to the base. In addition, the enclosure includes a locking assembly that secures the enclosure to a mounting structure. The locking assembly prevents removal of the enclosure from the mounting structure without opening the cover of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a cable having first and second opposed ends, and the base includes at least one cavity supported by the base and configured to receive at least one of the first and second opposed ends of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Non Typical Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J Cuddeback, Steven S. Heinold
  • Patent number: 6554499
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for installation for supplying superior closeup images of an individuals face and provide a height measurement device for witnesses for the purpose of identification with the steps of; utilizing sunlight to illuminate a subject's face for better exposure, always being directed towards the path of an individual arriving or exiting a building or structure, placed at eye level to avoid physical obstructions and a multiple axis mounting system to enable fine position adjustments. Preferred embodiments include a machine that is installed on a door frame or wall, facing into a building structure no less than ninety degrees from an existing outdoor light source, facing towards the suspects path of exit, a machine that is covert in it's operation and provides a height scale for witnesses to identify a subjects height as they leave through the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Marcus Egon Gumpenberger
  • Patent number: 6497519
    Abstract: The collapsible camera includes a base panel with a segmented panel connected thereto. The base panel carries light sensitive media, such as photographic film, and includes a light exposure region. The segmented panel carries a lens thereon. One end of the segmented panel is anchored to one end edge of the base panel. The opposing end of the segmented panel is slidably connected to the base panel. Upon sliding of the movable end of the segmented panel toward the anchored end, the segmented panel is erected thus positioning the lens to the proper focal length from the light sensitive media in preparation for taking a picture. Light blocking material surrounds the region between the lens and the light sensitive media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: William B Mills
  • Patent number: 6449431
    Abstract: An enclosure for a wildlife surveillance assembly includes a base configured to house a surveillance assembly and a cover coupled to the base with a hinge so as to permit rotating movement therebetween. In addition, the enclosure includes a locking assembly that secures the enclosure to a mounting structure. And prevents removal of the enclosure from the mounting structure without opening the cover of the enclosure. The base further preferably includes first and second compartments that are environmentally isolated from one another and includes openings to accommodate the locking assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a flexible cable having opposed ends, with an abutment coupled to one of the ends. A collar is slidably coupled to the flexible cable and adapted to be locked to the flexible cable at a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Non Typical Inc.
    Inventors: Mark John Cuddeback, Jeremy Stephen Nesthus
  • Patent number: 6322258
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ryan, Theodore L. Jones
  • Patent number: 6011932
    Abstract: A camera in the shape of an automobile includes a rear face that is substantially identical to a camera and a front shaped like an automobile body. The camera body includes a lens, a viewfinder, a film cannister compartment and a take-up spool compartment. One front wheel rotates relative to the automobile body and serves as a rewind member. In order to position the front wheel at the proper position on the automobile body, a gear mechanism is provided between the rewind wheel and the take-up spool shaft. The automobile body extends beyond the front of the camera body forming an opening in which a carry strap is mounted. The latch actuator for the rear cover is located on the bottom of the camera where it does not interfere with the automobile shape. A rear spoiler extends upward to serve as a finger grip and a push button located at the gas cap serves as a shutter actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Creative Camera Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Craig
  • Patent number: 5822636
    Abstract: A camera-cap with a light manual camera operated by remote control, the camera being attached on the head cover portion of the cap with its lens looking forwardly, and a multipurpose cap which includes: a rear view mirror being placed in front of the cap, the mirror angle being controlled by fixed and pivot arms attached to the side of the head cover portion; a camera attached on the front part of the head cover portion and operated by remote control; and an audio recorder attached to the front part of the head cover portion and also operated by remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Sung-Jae Cho