GB2141306A - Surveillance apparatus - Google Patents

Surveillance apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2141306A
GB2141306A GB08410583A GB8410583A GB2141306A GB 2141306 A GB2141306 A GB 2141306A GB 08410583 A GB08410583 A GB 08410583A GB 8410583 A GB8410583 A GB 8410583A GB 2141306 A GB2141306 A GB 2141306A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
mirror
housing
surveillance apparatus
axis
sensing unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08410583A
Other versions
GB8410583D0 (en
Inventor
Peter Leigh Clulee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
VIDEOSCAN Ltd
Original Assignee
VIDEOSCAN Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB838315218A external-priority patent/GB8315218D0/en
Application filed by VIDEOSCAN Ltd filed Critical VIDEOSCAN Ltd
Priority to GB08410583A priority Critical patent/GB2141306A/en
Publication of GB8410583D0 publication Critical patent/GB8410583D0/en
Publication of GB2141306A publication Critical patent/GB2141306A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
    • G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
    • G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
    • G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
    • G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
    • G08B13/19626—Surveillance camera constructional details optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
    • G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
    • G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
    • G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
    • G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
    • G08B13/19619—Details of casing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
    • G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
    • G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
    • G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
    • G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
    • G08B13/1963—Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N3/00—Scanning details of television systems; Combination thereof with generation of supply voltages
    • H04N3/02—Scanning details of television systems; Combination thereof with generation of supply voltages by optical-mechanical means only
    • H04N3/08—Scanning details of television systems; Combination thereof with generation of supply voltages by optical-mechanical means only having a moving reflector

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Surveillance apparatus for continually scanning an area under surveillance for example in shops comprises a sensing unit 11, such as a television camera, mounted fixedly in a housing 10, at least one pivotally mounted mirror 14 located within the housing between said sensing unit and a window in the housing and motor means 16 for effecting pivotal movement of said mirror, whereby movement of said mirror enables the sensing unit to scan over an extended angle in a chosen plane. Such apparatus can be sited so as to cover wide viewing angles without it being apparent in which direction the sensing unit is pointing at any time. In a second embodiment (Figs. 2 and 3) the housing may be rotated so that scanning in two directions at right angles is achieved. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Surveillance apparatus This invention concerns surveillance apparatus of the kind (hereinafter termed "of the kind referred to") which continually scans an area under surveillance.
One known form of surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to comprises a sensing unit such as a television camera which is mounted on means enabling the unit to be panned and/ortilted in accordance with a predetermined programme automatically, or in response to manually actuable remote control means. In certain environments, such as retail selling space, the unit may be concealed in a housing of the kind carrying a number of dummy lenses which prevent persons in the space from being able to detect the scanning pattern of the unit.
Such known forms of surveillance apparatus have a number of disadvantages, including limitations on the angles through which the sensing units can be tilted and the need for substantial framework and heavy duty motors for moving weighty sensing units such as television cameras.
It is an object of the present invention to provide surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to which overcomes, at least to some extent, the disadvantages aforesaid.
According to the present invention there is provided surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to comprising a sensing unit, such as a television camera, mounted in a housing, at least one pivotally mounted mirror located within the housing between said sensing unit and a window in the housing and motor means for effecting pivotal movement of said mirror, all whereby movement of said mirror enables the sensing unit to scan over an extended angle in a chosen plane.
In a particular embodiment, the housing is rotatable about an axis whereby the sensing means can scan in two directions at right angles to one another.
The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several Figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, two forms of surveillance apparatus embodying the invention.
Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a first form of apparatus; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second form of apparatus; and Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the second form of apparatus on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2.
Referring firstly to Figure 1, it will be seen that the surveillance apparatus, which is particularly suited for monitoring activity on an open site, such as a construction siteortrafficjunction,forexample, comprises a fixed weatherproof housing 10 for a television camera 11 fixedly mounted therein. The lens 12 of the camera 11 is directed towards a fixed mirror 13 disposed at 45" to the axis of the camera 11. The mirror 13 is itself directed towards a further mirror 14 mounted for pivotting movement about a vertical axis 15. A motor 16 drives a cranked arm pivotally connected to a frame 18 supporting the mirror 14 to cause the mirror 14 to pivot to and fro about the axis 15 continually whilst the apparatus is in use.The forward part of the housing 10 includes a window (not shown) towards which the mirror 14 is directed throughout the whole range of its possible angular positions.
It will be understood that the camera 11 scans an extended lateral field whilst remaining fixed and observing the changing image in the mirror 13 reflected from the moving mirror 14. Since the observed image has been reflected twice there is no lateral inversion thereof.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it will be seen that the surveillance apparatus there illustrated, which is particularly suited for monitoring retail selling space such as in a department store, for example, comprises a vertically disposed generally cylindrical housing 20 having a domed lower end 21 of a transparent material to form a window.
The housing 20 mounts a television camera 22 which is fixed relative to the housing 20 with its axis inclined to the vertical and with its lens directed downwardly.
The housing 20 is mounted on the lower end of a fixed rod 24 for rotation relative thereto to and fro through an angle of 360" about a vertical axis. Such rotation is effected by a motor 25, adapted to reverse at each end of the 360" arc by actuation of limit switches (not shown) and driving a pinion 26 engaging a fixed gear 27.
The lens 23 of the camera is directed towards a mirror 28 mounted for pivotting movement about a horizontal axis 29. The mirror 28 is continually pivotted to and fro about the axis 29 whilst the apparatus is in use by means of a cranked arm 30 driven buy a motor 31.
It will be understood that as the housing 20 is rotated and the mirror 28 is pivotted the camera 22 is able to scan both horizontally and up and down giving complete coverage of a substantial area.
Since the image observed by the camera is reflected, it is laterally inverted. This inversion can be corrected by modification of the circuitry of the camera.
It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.
1. Surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to comprising a sensing unit, such as a television camera, mounted in a housing, at least one pivotally mounted mirror located within the housing between said sensing unit and a window in the housing and motor means for effecting pivotal movement of said mirror, all whereby movement of said mirror enables the sensing unit to scan over an extended angle in a chosen plane.
2. Surveillance apparatus according to claim 1, of which the housing is rotatable about an axis whereby the sensing means can scan in two direc
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Surveillance apparatus This invention concerns surveillance apparatus of the kind (hereinafter termed "of the kind referred to") which continually scans an area under surveillance. One known form of surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to comprises a sensing unit such as a television camera which is mounted on means enabling the unit to be panned and/ortilted in accordance with a predetermined programme automatically, or in response to manually actuable remote control means. In certain environments, such as retail selling space, the unit may be concealed in a housing of the kind carrying a number of dummy lenses which prevent persons in the space from being able to detect the scanning pattern of the unit. Such known forms of surveillance apparatus have a number of disadvantages, including limitations on the angles through which the sensing units can be tilted and the need for substantial framework and heavy duty motors for moving weighty sensing units such as television cameras. It is an object of the present invention to provide surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to which overcomes, at least to some extent, the disadvantages aforesaid. According to the present invention there is provided surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to comprising a sensing unit, such as a television camera, mounted in a housing, at least one pivotally mounted mirror located within the housing between said sensing unit and a window in the housing and motor means for effecting pivotal movement of said mirror, all whereby movement of said mirror enables the sensing unit to scan over an extended angle in a chosen plane. In a particular embodiment, the housing is rotatable about an axis whereby the sensing means can scan in two directions at right angles to one another. The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several Figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, two forms of surveillance apparatus embodying the invention. Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a first form of apparatus; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second form of apparatus; and Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the second form of apparatus on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2. Referring firstly to Figure 1, it will be seen that the surveillance apparatus, which is particularly suited for monitoring activity on an open site, such as a construction siteortrafficjunction,forexample, comprises a fixed weatherproof housing 10 for a television camera 11 fixedly mounted therein. The lens 12 of the camera 11 is directed towards a fixed mirror 13 disposed at 45" to the axis of the camera 11. The mirror 13 is itself directed towards a further mirror 14 mounted for pivotting movement about a vertical axis 15. A motor 16 drives a cranked arm pivotally connected to a frame 18 supporting the mirror 14 to cause the mirror 14 to pivot to and fro about the axis 15 continually whilst the apparatus is in use.The forward part of the housing 10 includes a window (not shown) towards which the mirror 14 is directed throughout the whole range of its possible angular positions. It will be understood that the camera 11 scans an extended lateral field whilst remaining fixed and observing the changing image in the mirror 13 reflected from the moving mirror 14. Since the observed image has been reflected twice there is no lateral inversion thereof. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it will be seen that the surveillance apparatus there illustrated, which is particularly suited for monitoring retail selling space such as in a department store, for example, comprises a vertically disposed generally cylindrical housing 20 having a domed lower end 21 of a transparent material to form a window. The housing 20 mounts a television camera 22 which is fixed relative to the housing 20 with its axis inclined to the vertical and with its lens directed downwardly. The housing 20 is mounted on the lower end of a fixed rod 24 for rotation relative thereto to and fro through an angle of 360" about a vertical axis. Such rotation is effected by a motor 25, adapted to reverse at each end of the 360" arc by actuation of limit switches (not shown) and driving a pinion 26 engaging a fixed gear 27. The lens 23 of the camera is directed towards a mirror 28 mounted for pivotting movement about a horizontal axis 29. The mirror 28 is continually pivotted to and fro about the axis 29 whilst the apparatus is in use by means of a cranked arm 30 driven buy a motor 31. It will be understood that as the housing 20 is rotated and the mirror 28 is pivotted the camera 22 is able to scan both horizontally and up and down giving complete coverage of a substantial area. Since the image observed by the camera is reflected, it is laterally inverted. This inversion can be corrected by modification of the circuitry of the camera. It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof. CLAIMS
1. Surveillance apparatus of the kind referred to comprising a sensing unit, such as a television camera, mounted in a housing, at least one pivotally mounted mirror located within the housing between said sensing unit and a window in the housing and motor means for effecting pivotal movement of said mirror, all whereby movement of said mirror enables the sensing unit to scan over an extended angle in a chosen plane.
2. Surveillance apparatus according to claim 1, of which the housing is rotatable about an axis whereby the sensing means can scan in two direc tions at right angles to one another.
3. Surveillance apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a fixed mirror mounted at 45" to the optical axis of the sensing unit and a pivotally mounted mirror pivoted on an axis parallel to the plane of the said fixed mirror and so as to direct light thereat and into the sensing unit.
4. Surveillance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, said motor means being connected to a pivotally mounted mirror by a cranked arm pivotally connected to a frame supporting the said mirror so as to cause the mirror to pivot to and fro about its pivot axis.
5. Surveillance apparatus according to claim 4, in which the said window is such as to correspond to the range of possible angular positions of the said pivotally mounted mirror.
6. Surveillance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the observed image has been reflected an even number of times so that there is no lateral inversion thereof.
7. Surveillance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a generally cylindrical housing adapted to be vertically disposed and having a domed end, lowermost when so disposed, of transparent material forming said window.
8. Surveillance apparatus according to claim 7, said housing being rotatable about its axis.
9. Surveillance apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which said camera is mounted in said housing with its optical axis inclined to the axis of the housing.
10. Surveillance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the observed image is laterally inverted by circuitry associated with the sensing unit.
11. Surveillance apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08410583A 1983-06-03 1984-04-25 Surveillance apparatus Withdrawn GB2141306A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08410583A GB2141306A (en) 1983-06-03 1984-04-25 Surveillance apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB838315218A GB8315218D0 (en) 1983-06-03 1983-06-03 Surveillance apparatus
GB08410583A GB2141306A (en) 1983-06-03 1984-04-25 Surveillance apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8410583D0 GB8410583D0 (en) 1984-05-31
GB2141306A true GB2141306A (en) 1984-12-12

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08410583A Withdrawn GB2141306A (en) 1983-06-03 1984-04-25 Surveillance apparatus

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3904749A1 (en) * 1988-02-19 1989-08-31 Sensormatic Electronics Corp MONITORING UNIT
US4881135A (en) * 1988-09-23 1989-11-14 Heilweil Jordan B Concealed audio-video apparatus for recording conferences and meetings
WO1996012211A1 (en) * 1994-10-14 1996-04-25 Hunting Engineering Limited Optical windows
EP1263214A2 (en) * 2001-05-22 2002-12-04 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Image-taking device
FR2971593A1 (en) * 2011-02-16 2012-08-17 Hymatom VIDEO SURVEILLANCE DEVICE

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB833856A (en) * 1958-05-01 1960-05-04 Grundig Max Improvements in and relating to television apparatus
GB1150976A (en) * 1966-11-30 1969-05-07 Philips Electronic Associated Telescope Sensitive to Infra-Red Radiation
GB1289304A (en) * 1968-11-21 1972-09-13
GB1345108A (en) * 1971-03-03 1974-01-30 Nippon Kokan Kk Apparatus for examining the inner surface of pipes
GB1553525A (en) * 1976-10-30 1979-09-26 Luknar A Security system
GB2077072A (en) * 1980-05-27 1981-12-09 Hochtemperatur Reaktorbau Gmbh Television camera for inspecting internal spaces in nuclear reactor plants
GB2126042A (en) * 1980-12-22 1984-03-14 Eltro Gmbh Direction finder system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB833856A (en) * 1958-05-01 1960-05-04 Grundig Max Improvements in and relating to television apparatus
GB1150976A (en) * 1966-11-30 1969-05-07 Philips Electronic Associated Telescope Sensitive to Infra-Red Radiation
GB1289304A (en) * 1968-11-21 1972-09-13
GB1345108A (en) * 1971-03-03 1974-01-30 Nippon Kokan Kk Apparatus for examining the inner surface of pipes
GB1553525A (en) * 1976-10-30 1979-09-26 Luknar A Security system
GB2077072A (en) * 1980-05-27 1981-12-09 Hochtemperatur Reaktorbau Gmbh Television camera for inspecting internal spaces in nuclear reactor plants
GB2126042A (en) * 1980-12-22 1984-03-14 Eltro Gmbh Direction finder system

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3904749A1 (en) * 1988-02-19 1989-08-31 Sensormatic Electronics Corp MONITORING UNIT
US4881135A (en) * 1988-09-23 1989-11-14 Heilweil Jordan B Concealed audio-video apparatus for recording conferences and meetings
WO1996012211A1 (en) * 1994-10-14 1996-04-25 Hunting Engineering Limited Optical windows
US5971631A (en) * 1994-10-14 1999-10-26 Poole; Neal John Optical windows
EP1263214A2 (en) * 2001-05-22 2002-12-04 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Image-taking device
EP1263214A3 (en) * 2001-05-22 2005-08-17 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Image-taking device
FR2971593A1 (en) * 2011-02-16 2012-08-17 Hymatom VIDEO SURVEILLANCE DEVICE
EP2490071A1 (en) * 2011-02-16 2012-08-22 Hymatom Video monitoring device

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Publication number Publication date
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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)