CA2172024A1 - Surveillance system for safeguarding privacy - Google Patents

Abstract

A surveillance system for safeguarding the privacy of a subject while producing an evidentiary record of the events which took place in situations requiring a degree of privacy. The system functions within an activity area, or office, containing a subject and a practitioner, and includes one or more video cameras viewing the practitioner or one or more audio microphones exposed to the activity area, where the video cameras and microphones have video and audio output signals respectively. The system also includes a single recorder for recording the outputs from the cameras or microphones serially, or in random order, at random times and only for brief intervals. The system may also be used with a single camera or microphone with random monitoring for brief intervals. The system also includes a controller for enabling the cameras or microphones and controlling the operation of the recorder; the controller is inaccessible to the practitioner.

Description

~ 2172024 SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR SAFEGUARDING PRIVACY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains generally to improvements in methods and apparatus for gathering and preserving information.
More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved video or audio recording apparatus for use by professionals in a client contact setting.
The practice of many activities, particularly those of a professional nature such as medicine, psychiatry, and law involve a practitioner and a client (or subject) in which the practitioner provides treatment, consultation, diagnosis, analysis and advice to the client. Often, the procedure is conducted in a private and confidential manner. Occasionally, controversies arise concerning the conduct and service of the practitioner which result in claims and litigation brought by clients. Proof of the conduct complained of usually depends solely on the memories and testimony of the participants and such evidence is usually perceived as being biased and not completely credible. Corroborating evidence of the events in question, particularly when gathered in the regular course of business, would be very helpful in establishing the facts. This, in the long run, may reduce the number of malpractice claims

2~ litigaced, the cos~ of malpractice insurance and the overall cost of medical services It would also tend to act as a prophylactic 2 1 72024 `~

measure, thus chilling bad conduct by practitioners and false claims by clients.
What is called for, then, is a surveillance system of cameras, microphones or both. In the prior art, surveillance systems have been used in banks, retail establishments and casinos to provide a measure of security. None of the prior art security systems is suitable in a professional office setting, however, since client matters must be kept private. Surveillance, as has been done in the prior art, and the need for privacy are simply not reconcilable. A subject or patient would not be likely to allow a delicate or embarrassing procedure to be performed in an office with cameras or microphones which were likely to violate that patient's need for privacy.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for gathering and preserving information, with minimal intrusion on the office setting and maximum preservation of privacy as each situation allows and dictates.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus generating and recording video andjor audio signals from within an office area to be monitored.
Still another o~ject of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for producing and replaying a video or audio 2~ record of the ac~ivity and lnteraction of a practitioner and subject. In one embodimen~ e svstem is not under the control or the practitioner or the subject but instead is intermittently activated for brief periods which are separated in time by longer idle periods of random length.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an 5 improved video and/or audio surveillance system which selects a mode of operation in response to a selected condition in the observed area, such as the presence of someone in the area A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple and unobtrusive, which records the time and date of each recorded interval, which is highly efficient in the use of the recording medium, and which provides a record of collected information that can be stored efficiently for historical archive purposes.
A surveillance system in accordance with the present invention is operable within an activity area, or office, containing a subject and a practitioner. The system includes one or more transducers such as video cameras viewing the practitioner or audio pickups or microphones exposed to the activity area, where the video cameras and pickups have video and audio output signals respectively. The system also includes a single recorder for recording each camera or pickup at random times for brief intervals. A plurality of cameras or pickups may be recorded serially or in random order. Preferably, the controller is inaccessible to the practitioner.
2~ (VCR3 employina magnetic tape cassettes may ~e controlled by ~
controller The recorder can be adjusred for different tape advance speeds including an active mode at a normal speed (preferably an EP speed or a slower speed consistent with desired resolution and acceptable capacity) and a dormant mode at a slow time lapse speed, for example, averaging between a frame a minute S and several minutes; in the dormant mode, the interval between frames is randomized. Additionally, a time and date signal generator is provided which is independent of the recorder speed and which applies a date signal to the recorder to provide the time and date in a corner of each frame of the video picture t for evidentiary purposes. The field of the camera may be positioned to cover the entire activity area and may include a power zoom lens which can be remotely controlled.
With the present invention, a permanent record may be provided of the activity and conduct of a practitioner and sub~ect within an area of activity, to provide evidence of the facts of a recorded event. This method of gathering evidence will provide randomly time lapsed images or sound segments to show the absence of inappropriate service while minimizing the intrusio~, to preserve privacy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from ~he following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig 1 illustrates a block diagram of all apparatus embodying t~le present invention Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the connections between the controller, transducers and the recorder, for the multi-transducer embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIP~ION
Turning now to a more detailed description of the invention and referring to Fig. 1, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a surveillance area in which there is a practitioner P, (which may be a psychiatrist, medical doctor, consultant, professional or non-professional person or the like) and a subject S, (which may be a patient or other participant) interacting with the practitioner P. The area 10 may be an office, laboratory, consulting chamber, hospital room or the like.
A video camera 11 having a motor-powered zoom lens 12 may be mounted in a hidden position which is hidden and is pre~erably remotely adjustable about vertical and horizontal axes to vary the direction of aim for the optical zoom lens 12. Thus, by controlling the orientation of camera 11 and the viewing field of zoom lens 12, the full surveillance area 10 may be viewed (or any part thereof) which may include practitioner P or subject S or both. A wireless remote-controlled receiver 13 (of known construction) has output signals which are applied to siave mo~or controls in the camera 11 for adjusting the orientation of the camera 11 and the angle of view of lens 12. An optional remote 2~ control transmir~er 1~ (accessibie to someone, preferablv not oniy.o the practitioner ~ transmits selected signals ~o receiver 13 which responds to such signals to produce the output signals to the camera 11 which control camera 11 and lens 12. The remote control transmitter 14 is schematically represented as being within the office area 10, but may be positioned anywhere, or omitted from the system.
A microphone 16 may be installed where it is exposed to and picks up sounds from within surveillance area 10 and transduces them to output electrical audio signals.
For purposes of this description and the following claims, however, the term transducer is defined as any sensor which converts physical stimuli such as light or sound into information signals for playback or storage; video cameras and microphones are two types of transducers. The purpose of the system is surveillance, this may be video only, audio only or video and audio together.
The system also preferably includes a time and date signal generator 17 which is constantly running to provide time and date output signals to the recorder. The output video signals from camera 11, microphone 16 and the time and date generator are fed to and combined in a signal mixer network 18.
The combined signal output of signal mixer 18 is fed to the input of a time delay memory network 19 for generating a delayed transducer output signal. The time delay memory network output is fed to a high capacity magnetic tape or other high capacity recorder 20. Recorder 20 may be a VCR with a hign capacity replaceable ~ape casse.te. Tl~e -ecorder may be swltcned berween ~

~ 2 1 72û24 first mode, generating a contir.uous rec~rding at a selected speed and a time-lapse random mode, ~hich may average between a rrame a minute and a frame (or two or a dozen) per several minutes.
For recording, the speed control input is selectively connected to a normal recording speed signal generator 21 or a random time lapse (random period) signal generator 22 by way of a double throw switch 23 which is controllable by remote control 14 through remote receiver 13.
Switch 23 may, in another embodiment, be a three-position switch having a normal speed position a time-lapse position, as above, and a third null position 34.
Thus, the following basic elements are used, transducers such as a camera 11 or microphone 16, a recorder 20, and a controller 30. The controller 30 includes a time date generator 17, a signal mixer 18, a time delay memory network 19, a speed control 21, and a time lapse signal generator 22, the controllable switches 23 and 26, the optional remote receiver 13 and the control network 27.
The time lapse signal generator 22 generates a first random period (or interval) and a second random period (or interval).
The time lapse signal generator may periodically produce the first random length period and periodically produce a second random length period which is shorter than the ~irst random length period.
The second random length period begins at the end of the first randcm length period. The rst random length period represents the idl2 time OL- ~he ~ransducer ard the seconà random length period 2 t 72024 ~ .

represents the enabled or activated time for the transducer.
Thus, when switch 23 is in the position which corresponds to the time lapse position, recorder 2C records a random number of video frames (or a random number of seconds of audio) which is followed 5 by an idle interval of no recording.
A video display monitor 24 may be unobtrusively located within the office area 10 for convenient viewing by the practitioner P.
The monitor may be mounted upon a desk or chair occupied by the practitioner and has its signal input connected by way of two position switch 26 which is selectively connectable to the input or output of the time-delay memory network 19.
In an alternative embodiment, the switch 23 is not under the control of the practitioner. Instead, the switch is initially in the state connecting the recorder control input to the time lapse signal generator 22 which results in intermittent recording of randomly spaced frames Switch 23 is then switched to the normal recording speed by a control network 27 that is responsive to a motion sensor 32, which senses sound, infrared (heat) or other desired conditions in area 10. The normal recording then continues for a pre-determined time interval following each such sensing.
In a second alternative embodiment, the switch is initially in a null position 34. When switch 23 is in the null position 34, the recorder 20 is disabled and no recording takes place un~il the position of switch 23 is changed to another position. Then, if a 2~ persorl walks in~o the area 10, switch 23 is switched tG the sta~e connecting the recorder control input to the time lapse s gnai ,, .

generator 22 by the control network 27 which is responsive to motion sensor 32 that senses the desired condition in area 10. The recording then continues (at random intervals and for random duration), for a pre-determined time following each such sensing.

This embodiment is most efficient in consumption of recording media, since the area is sampled only for ~rief intervals and then only when a person is in the office area. By efficiently using the recording media, requirements for media and archiving space are optimized.
Turning now to Fig. 2, it is illustrated that a number of modifications are possible. A controller 100 is connected to a recorder for processing signals from a plurality of transducers 104, 106, 108, 110. This controller has the same structure as the controller 30, described above, but is adapted to process output signals from a plurality of transducers, and has the additional capability to selectively enable the transducers 104, 106, 108 and 110. The multi-transducer controller 100 is preferably configured as a programmable controller or a micro-controller personal computer. Operating control software may then be customlzed to a particular user's application.
These transducers 104, 106, 108, 110, may be video cameras, audio microphones or other such devices commonly used in surveillance systems. Any combination of these types of transducers may he deploye~, depending upon a user~s .eeds rhe transducers :nay be deployed one per office area o~ several to an ~. 21 72024 area The multi-transducer system 120 may also be used with ~he detection sensors 122, 124 which are used to determine whether a person has entered an area, as above In configuring the system, a user may choose to configure some areas with both transducers and detection sensors while configuring other more critical areas with only transducers.
In the multi-transducer embodiment, it is possible to time-multiplex several output signals from several transducers, respectively, onto one recording. The order in which the output signals from transducers are recorded may be randomized ~he period for which each transducer's signal is recorded may be varied randomly, as well. Finally, it is possible to operate the entire system 120 intermittently, thereby having intervals of time where none of the transducers are operating. This would allow the system to be operated with minimal consumption of recording media Turning back now to Fig. 1, the use of a single camera embodiment can be illustrated. In normal use, the position of switch 23 may be remotely switched by the remote controller 14 to the time-lapse signal generator position and the field of lens 12 and the orientation of camera 11 may also be remotely adjusted to view the full area 10. Tape recorder 20 thus operates in the time-lapse mode and produces video pictures at a very slow and intermittent rate. Successive picture frames may be separated in time by an interval which is between a few seconds and a few minutes ~ach or the victure frames includes a ti~e and date indication which may appear ln a corner o. the picture displayed ,_ 2 1 72024 from the recordinq.
It may also be desirahle to allow the practitioner to select the mode of continuous recording. When it is desired to produce a continuous motion picture and accompanying sound, the practitioner remotely directs the camera and adjusts the zoom lens 11 to the desired area and switches switch 23 to the normal speed control position. The adjusted field of view and frame speed may be observed in display monitor 24 which may be connected to the input or output of time delay network 19. The camera orientation and zoom lens field may be continuously or intermittently remotely adjusted by practitioner P who may determine the adjustment by viewing monitor 24. It may be desirable to have the practitioner P always in the view of lens 12 along with the subject S. Upon the conclusion of the practitioner-subject meeting, the switch 23 can be switched to the time lapse generator position until the next meeting is to be recorded.
Tape recorder 20 may advantageously function only to record upon non-erasable tape and may employ a replaceable tape cassette shaped or otherwise coded to be useable only by tape recorder 20 and no other conventional tape recorder. Recorder 20 may further include a mechanism which locks the tape cassette in an operating position whereby the cassette can be removed only by an authorized person having a proper key or code. This kind of security measure would exclude cassette replacement by the practitioner.
In addition, certain situations may necessi~ate the entire system being locked to the practitioner and accessible only tC~ ar authorized and security-bonded individual The foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention along with a number of possible alternatives.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that modifications of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is therefore not restricted to the embodiments disclosed above, but is defined in the following claims.

Claims (8)

I CLAIM:

1. A surveillance system for monitoring subjects in an activity area to protect the subjects while preserving their privacy, comprising:
a first transducer which is responsive to events within the activity area and to a first enabling signal, whereby said area is monitored, said first transducer generating a first monitoring signal only when said first enabling signal is present;
a controller for generating said first enabling signal, including a random period generator for producing a random length period, wherein said first enabling signal is generated only for said random length period; and a recorder for recording said first monitoring signal.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a sensor, said sensor being responsive to the presence of a person in said activity area and generating a sensor output signal;
wherein said controller is responsive to said sensor output signal and wherein said controller generates said first enabling signal only when said sensor output signal is present.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first transducer is a microphone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first transducer is a video camera.

13 The system of claim 1, wherein said first transducer is a video camera which also includes a microphone.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller further includes a first random period generator and a second random period generator; said first random period generator periodically producing a first random length period; said second random period generator periodically producing a second random length period which is shorter than said first random length period, wherein said second random length period is begun at the end of said first random length period, wherein said first enabling signal is generated only for said second random length period.

7. The system of claim 1, further including a second transducer;
said second transducer being responsive to events within a second activity area and to a second enabling signal, whereby said second area is monitored, said second transducer generating a second monitoring signal only when said second enabling signal is present;
wherein said controller generates said second enabling signal, including a third random period generator for producing a third random length period, wherein said second enabling signal is generated only for said third random length period; and wherein said recorder for records said second monitoring signal after said first monitoring signal.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said sensor is a motion sensor.