CA3100477A1 - Security flashlight, computing device and video recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A flashlight for use with a security system having a server coupled to a wireless network is disclosed. The flashlight includes a housing having a tubular battery compartment coupled to a head portion. The head portion contains a light, a video camera, a mobile computing device, a touch screen, a photosensor, a wireless network adapter, a GPS unit and a plurality of physical buttons. The mobile computing device is coupled to the light, video camera, touch screen, photosensor, GPS unit, wireless network adapter and plurality of physical buttons. The video camera is configured to record a video image in front of the flashlight. A
record icon for activating the video camera is displayed on the screen. The flashlight has a physical button for turning on the light, with the flashlight adapted to stream the video image from the camera to the server upon the light being turned on.

Description

, CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION: This application claims priority from US provisional application # 62/937916 filed November 20, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TITLE: Security Flashlight, Computing Device and Video Recorder FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to flashlights for use by security personnel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Security guards, policemen and night watchmen, hereafter referred to collectively as security personnel, are professionals who are charged with the task of overseeing the physical security of buildings and locations. The task often requires the security personnel to patrol vacant portions of buildings which are often poorly lit, particularly at night. As an aid to assist them in their endeavors, security personnel are often issued flashlights to assist them in illuminating dark locations should the need arise. They are also often provided with a communication device such as a two-way radio or mobile phone. During the operation of their duties, security personnel may face situations where they may run into conflict with other people or face a potential dangerous situation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flashlight for use with a security system having a server coupled to a wireless network, the server having a file , , for containing video and other data. The flashlight includes a housing having a tubular battery compartment containing a battery, the tubular battery compartment coupled to a head portion.
The head portion of the flashlight contains a light, a video camera, a mobile computing device, a touch screen, a photosensor, a wireless network adapter, a GPS unit and a plurality of physical buttons. The mobile computing device is operatively coupled to the light, video camera, touch screen, photosensor, GPS unit, wireless network adapter and plurality of physical buttons. The light is oriented to project a beam of light out of the head portion and the video camera is configured to record a video image which is in alignment with the beam of light. The touch screen is configured to display a record icon for activating the video camera causing it to record the video image onto an onboard memory card. The flashlight has physical buttons for turning on the light, the video camera, mobile computing device and the wireless network adapter being configured to stream the video image to the server whether the light has been turned on or not, without recording the video image to the onboard memory unless the record icon is engaged.
The device is capable of being located by GPS even when it is turned off unless GPS has been manually disabled in the device settings.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flashlight made in accordance with one aspect of the present

2 invention showing the battery housing coupled to the head portion.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the flashlight of figure 1 showing the head portion disconnected from the battery housing and showing the battery cap disconnected from the battery housing.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the head portion of the flashlight shown in figure 1.
Figure 4 is a front view of the head portion of the flashlight shown in figure 1.
Figure 5 is a side view of the head portion of the flashlight shown in figure 1.
Figure 6 is back view of the head portion of the flashlight shown in figure 1.
Figure 7 is a schematic view of the mobile computing device, camera, GPS unit and wireless communication module contained within the flashlight shown in figure 1.
Figure 8 is a schematic view of the flashlight shown in figure 1 used in combination with a wireless server network.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to figures 1, a flashlight made in accordance with the present invention is shown generally as item 10 and consists of a tubular battery housing 12 mounted to a head portion 14. Battery housing 12 has a battery cap 16 which is removable from housing 12 in order to replace the batteries (not shown) contained within housing 12. Head portion 14 has front end 18 which houses a head lamp (light) 20. As best seen in figure 2, the flashlight can be disassembled by decoupling battery housing 12 from head portion 14. Battery cap 16 can be unscrewed from threaded end 21 to access the battery compartment contained within housing 12.
Housing 12 has threaded end 22 which is configured to mate to threaded sleeve 24 formed on

3 , head 14. Threaded sleeve 24 forms a recess 26 on the end of head portion 14.
Referring now to figure 3, head portion 12 contains a mobile computing device, a GPS
unit, a video camera and a wireless communication module for communication with a central wireless server as shall be better described later. Head portion 12 also includes a video touchscreen 28 and a cluster of physical buttons 30. Touchscreen 28 is configured to display information such as text messages, as well as display a plurality of icons controlling the operation of the mobile computing device contained within head portion 12. One such icon is the video record icon 32 which, when activated, causes the onboard video camera to record a video image to internal memory or external SD card. The cluster of physical buttons 30 includes physical buttons controlling various functions such as on/off button 34 which is activated to turn the onboard mobile computer on and off and light button 36 for turning the headlight of the flashlight on. Additional buttons are provided on cluster 30 to control interactions with the icons on screen 28 and control the operation of flashlight. Additional buttons 38 and 40 are provided to permit the user to send a "red signal" and a "green signal"
light to another person respectively. The red and green signals can be used to communicate a variety of things such as the presence of an emergency, and "all clear" signal or any other signal as can be pre-arranged with other persons. As will be discussed further below, button 36 controls the operation of the flashlight's lamp/light, but does not control video recording, which is always live streaming, and can be captured by the server software if the operator chooses.
Referring now to figure 4, the front end 18 of head portion 12 has a plurality of elements which are used to increase the functionality of the flashlight. Light 20 is provided to project a beam of strong light in front of the flashlight. Preferably light 20 consists of a strong white light LED. A video camera lens 42 is provided and is aligned with light 20 such that the video camera

4 records images of objects directly in front of the flashlight which will be illuminated by the light beam generated by light 20. A flash fill light 44 is provided which is configured to generate a brief but very bright flash of light so that the onboard video camera can take a still picture.
Red/Green light 46 is provided at the front of the flashlight which are controlled by the red/green buttons 38 and 40, respectively. Activation of the red/green light allows the user of the flashlight to signal a red light or a green light to other persons as discussed above.
Referring now to figure 5, the side of head 14 is provided with a recessed port 48 containing a plurality of sockets for receiving Intelligent Fast Charging plug 50, computer access plug 52, a memory card 54, and a microphone 56. Preferably recessed port 48 is configured to snugly receive a rubber cap 58 to permit the recessed port to be waterproof or at least water resistant. Additional items can be placed in recessed port 48 such as a reset button, and other items such as the memory card slot or microphone, can be located elsewhere depending on the level of waterproofness required for those items. Head portion 14 is also preferably provided with a speaker grill 55 containing a speaker for receiving audio signals such as alarms, notifications or even voice messages.
As best seen in figure 6, sleeve 24 forms a recess 26 within which additional items and ports can be positioned to take advantage of the increased waterproofness provided by the threaded sleeve 24. For example, a cellular SIM card slot 60 can be positioned in recess 26 as well as a flash memory card slot 54. Electrical contacts 62 and 64 will be provided in recess 26 to permit the head portion to make electrical contact with the rechargeable battery.
Referring now to figure 7, the mobile computing device portion of the present invention shall now be discussed in greater detail. Contained within the head portion of the flashlight is the mobile computer device, shown generally as item 66, which preferable consists of a standard

5 mobile computing board as used in the construction of android cell phones and the like. For the purposes of this discussion, a 4G enabled mobile computing device powered by a 64-bit 8-core processor, CORTEXTm-A53 architecture running at 1.5 GHz and loaded with the Android 6.0 operating system would be enough. Suitable mobile computing boards and devices are readily available on the market. The computing device is preferably provided with on board wireless communications module 68 which is configured to provide the computing device with a plurality of wireless communications modes such as Bluetooth (V4.0 or higher), WIFI
network support (IEEE 802.11 n/b/g), and cellular (LTE; 4G, 3G and the like). Mobile computing device 66 is also provided with hardware/firmware/software necessary to control the operation of touchscreen 28, write data to memory card 72, receive GPS location information from GPS
unit 70, record video images from video camera 42, turn headlight 20 on and off and receive on/off signals from flashlight button 36. Numerous mobile computing boards/kits are readily available on the market which have all these features and more built in. Mobile computing device 66 is further configured to turn on light 20 and automatically stream video images from camera 42 to a remote user via communication module 68 as soon as button 34 is activated into the "ON" position.
Mobile computing device 66 is further configured to record that video image onto memory card 72 inserted into card slot 54, or onto internal memory when icon 32 on screen 28 is activated into "record mode". When the user activates icon 32, the video image is also recorded onto memory card 72 inserted into card slot 54, or onto internal memory, depending on configuration. The feature of turning on the device 66 and transmitting the video image is programmed into the firmware of the mobile computing device to not be reliant on the operating system or the operator.
Mobile computing device 66 is preferably loaded with applications which periodically

6 query the GPS module 70 to determine the GPS location of the flashlight. The GPS information is logged into memory card 72 (or stored on onboard memory) together with the time and date so that a list of GPS waypoints can be recorded detailing where the flashlight was located at any point in time. Other information such as when the flashlight was turned on, when various .. features of the flashlight were activated, etc., can all be stored on memory. A computer port is provided on the flashlight to permit easy retrieval of this information later.
Referring now to figure 8, flashlight 10 is preferably to be used as part of a security system which includes a central remote server 78. Remote server 78 runs a database program 80 having a plurality of records 82. Each flashlight 10 is provided with a serial number (IMEI
number) identifying the flashlight and this serial number is preferably recorded in record 82 so that record 82 can be identified as the record containing information relating to flashlight 10. In cases where the flashlight is to be used by security officers (police, military personnel, security guards, prison guards, etc.) who patrol an area in a car or vehicle, then record 82 can also identify the car number associated with the flashlight. The car number indicates that the car has a specific flashlight associated with it. Flashlight 10 is configured to periodically send information packets 75 wirelessly back to server 78. Flashlight 10 is configured to include the serial number of the flashlight, the car number associated with the flashlight, the time/date, and the GPS position of the flashlight within information packet 75. As mentioned previously, when button 34 is switched on, video camera 42 starts streaming a video image. In the example illustrated, the user wishes to view event 74 and does so by switching on button 36 to project a beam of light onto event 74. Simultaneously, camera 42 starts recording a video image and flashlight 10 transmits the video image 76 as a continuous stream to server 78. Server 78 then takes video stream 76 and records it into record 82. Therefore, even if the user fails to trigger the

7 recording of the event by activating icon 32, server 78 records the video image for later reference. This provides the system with the advantage of keeping a video record of the event without the need for the user to take the added step of activating the record button. This also provides the added advantage of providing a video record of even 74 which can be retrieved even if flashlight 10 is damaged, lost or stolen before the onboard data card can be read. Flashlight 10 is further configured to embed various water marks into video image 76. The watermarks would include such things as the GPS position of the flashlight, the current time and date, the serial number of the flashlight and the car number associated with the flashlight.
This provides a video file which can be used as evidence which shows the location, time, date and the specific flashlight and car associated with the recording.
Since flashlight 10 includes a cellular enabled communications module as well as a microphone and speakers, it is possible to use the flashlight to send and receive voice messages as well as voice to text messages between the flashlight and a remote location such as a headquarters, an office, another cell phone (or land line) and another similarly equipped .. flashlight. Since a flash memory card is provided onboard the flashlight, the flashlight can store copies of all voice messages, text messages, notifications, GPS waypoints and other communications or information on the flashlight. This data can be uploaded later to serve various purposes such as verifying that patrols were fully executed and provide evidence for use in legal proceedings. The flashlight therefore provides a valuable tool for security as it enables users to communicate with each other, verify their position and to gather and store evidence.
A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described

8 above but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

9

Claims (5)

Therefore, what is claimed is:

1. A flashlight for use with a security system having a server coupled to a wireless network, the server having a file for containing video and other data, the flashlight comprising: a housing having a tubular battery compartment containing a battery, the tubular battery compartment coupled to a head portion, the head portion containing a light, a video camera, a mobile computing device, a touch screen, a photosensor, a wireless network adapter, a GPS unit and a plurality of buttons, the mobile computing device being operatively coupled to the light, video camera, touch screen, photosensor, GPS
unit, wireless network adapter and plurality of physical buttons, the light oriented to project a beam of light out of the head portion, the video camera configured to record a video image which is in alignment with the beam of light, the touch screen displaying a record icon for activating the video camera causing it to record the video image onto an onboard memory card, a physical button for turning on the light, the video camera, mobile computing device and the wireless network adapter being configured to stream the video image to the server upon the light being turned on without recording the video image to the onboard memory card even if the record icon is not engaged.

2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the head portion has a front end where the light is positioned and a back end which is configured to couple to the tubular housing by a water tight screw coupling, the back end having a recess containing a memory card slot for receiving the memory card, the recess forming a water tight compartment when the head portion is coupled to the tubular housing.

,

3. The flashlight of claim 2 wherein the flashlight further includes a cellular SIM card for enabling wireless cellular communication between the flashlight and the server, the cellular SIM card being contained in a SIM slot formed in the water tight compartment.

4. The flashlight of claim 3 wherein the mobile computing device is configured to calculate a GPS position of the flashlight, as well as a date and time, a unique device code for identifying the flashlight, and a car number associated with a vehicle the flashlight is to be used with, the mobile computing device being further configured to superimpose onto the video image the GPS position of the flashlight, the date, the time, the unique device code and the car number.

5. The flashlight of claim 4 wherein the flashlight has a speaker and a microphone coupled to the mobile computing device, the mobile computing device being configured such that the flashlight can function as a hands free cellular phone.