GB2394552A

GB2394552A - Field of view altering camera attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2394552A
Application number: GB0224921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Doug Horrocks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-25
Filing date: 2002-10-25
Publication date: 2004-04-28
Also published as: WO2004039064A1; GB0224921D0; AU2003278351A1

Abstract

An attachment to provide a standard single lens camera 16 with the capability to see in more than one direction and outside the ordinary field of view of the lens. The attachment preferably utilises mirrors (12,14) either fixed or motorised in front of the lens. The attachment can be retrofitted to an existing camera which improves the functionality of the camera.

Description

l 1 2394552

Improvements in or Relating to Surveillance Equipment The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to surveillance equipment and in particular, although not exclusively, to a multi view closed circuit television 5 camera.

It is known to provide closed circuit television cameras for security purposes. Such cameras may be provided on premises or in the street to help prevent crime or to assist in the general security of buildings or areas. Information captured on video may be 10 used as evidence in court and in this capacity the cameras provide a deterrent to criminals and may help to prevent crime.

If is further known to provide security cameras on motorways and at traffic signals. In this capacity the cameras may provide vital information about traffic flow or traffic 15 incidents. The cameras may also help in determining fault in traffic accidents.

One of the main disadvantages of the prior art security cameras is that they can only see

in the direction they are pointing and within the field of view afforded by the lens fitted

to the camera. Sophisticated motor drives may be used to point the camera in a 20 different direction but the cameras still only have one field of view. Such cameras are

complex pieces of equipment and are expensive to purchase and install. The complexity of' such heavy duty motor drives increasing the cost further. To provide adequate security camera coverage over a selected area many cameras are often required which can further increase the cost.

According to a first aspect of' the invention there is provided a viewing attachment for a camera apparatus, said camera apparatus having a field of view, the attachment

comprising a viewing means operable to direct into a portion of said field of view an

image lying outside of said field of view.

An attachment so arranged can provide a single lens camera apparatus with the capability of viewing outside the ordinary field of view of the lens. The attachment

thus enables the camera to have a primary field of view afforded by the camera lens,

and a secondary, supplementary field of view afforded by the viewing means. The

5 attachment can be retrofitted to an existing camera apparatus which improves the functionality of the camera apparatus. Consequently a camera provided with an attachment according to the present invention is provided with an enhanced field of

view. Accordingly fewer cameras may be required to provide a given field of view.

This has the advantage of reducing the cost of providing adequate security coverage.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a camera apparatus having a field of view, the camera apparatus further comprising a viewing means

operable to direct into a portion of said field of view an image lying outside of said field

of view.

A camera apparatus so provided incorporates the viewing means into the body of the camera device. In an alternative embodiment the viewing means may be incorporated into a protective housing which contains the camera. Such housings are typically provided so as to provide the camera with protection against weather factors such as 20 rain.

The camera apparatus may be of any suitable type. Preferably the camera apparatus is operable to relay a moving image. The camera apparatus may be of the type commonly referred to a close circuit television or CCTV camera. The camera apparatus may be a 25 digital camera or a webcam device.

Preferably the viewing means comprises a reflective surface. The reflective surface may be any suitably polished surface such as for example metal, glass, plastic or combination thereof such as a mirror. The reflective surface may be supported upon an 30 appropriate substrate or backing.

The viewing means may be provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces. Said reflective surfaces may be arranged in any suitable configuration. In a preferred embodiment the viewing means may comprise two reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces are preferably spaced from one another having a gap therebetween. The gap 5 provides the useful "'unction of allowing the camera to observe within the field of view

of the lens. The or each reflectiec surface may preferably be planar.

In an alternative embodiment the viewing means are adapted to conduct an image therethrough. Such a viewing means may comprise, for example, a fish eye lens, prism 10 or optic fibre.

Preferably the or each reflective surface is movable relative to the camera apparatus.

Such movement may be in any direction including, for example, towards and away from the camera apparatus, and up and down relative to the camera apparatus. Such 15 movement may also enable the plane of the reflective surface to be adjusted relative to the camera apparatus and in a preferred embodiment the plane is adjustable by means of a pivot provided at one edge of the or each reflective surface. The or each reflective surface may alternatively be pivotable about one or more axes passing through the body or bodies thereof. Pivoting may thus be enabled in the vertical or horizontal direction 20 or in both directions.

I'he movement of the reflectiec surface may be performed by hand. In an alternative embodiment the reflective surface may be movable by the provision of one or more motors. The motors may he of any appropriate type. This has the advantage that only 25 the reflective surfaces are required to be motorised instead of the whole of the camera to enable viewing in different directions.

Advantageously the or each reflective surface is provided with a counter balance arrangement so that it maintains a predetermined orientation relative to a plane of 30 reference, such as the ground, and/or the ground as the camera is tilted. The counterbalance arrangement may be of any suitable type. In one embodiment the counter balance may comprises a hinge and a platform, said reflective surface being

mounted on said platform and said hinge being provided between the platform and the camera. Alternatively an appropriately configured linkage may be provided between the camera and the or each reflective surface.

5 Preferably the viewing means can be moved outwith the field of view of the camera

apparatus. This provides the advantage that the whole normal field of view of the

camera can be utilised uninterrupted if required. This may for example be useful when an incident is observed using the viewing means and then the camera apparatus is moved to view the incident with the whole field of view with the viewing means moved

10 out of the field of view of the camera apparatus.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a

preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which; - Figure la is a perspective view of a closed circuit television camera attachment according to the present invention.

- Figure lb is a diagrammatic representation of a television screen for a closed circuit television camera fitted with the attachment of Figure la.

20 - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a video attachment with a motor drive.

Relerring firstly to Figure 1 a there is shown an attachment for a closed circuit television camera in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 10. The attachment 10 comprises two mirrors 12, 14 which are located in the field of view of a

25 television camera lens 17. The mirrors 12, 14 are spaced so as to provide a channel therethrough and are adjustably fixed relative to the television camera lens 17 by a beam 18. The beam 18 being attached to a television camera 16 with screws 20. The mirrors 12, 14 are pivotably adjustable at one edge 13, 15 respectively so that the plane of each mirror can be adjusted relative the plane of the camera lens 17. The camera 16 30 and mirrors 12, 14 are mounted on a base 22.

In operation the mirrors 12, 14 of the attachment in Figure la are positioned relative to the camera lens 17 to enable the lens 17 to observe outside of the field of view of the

lens 17. In Figure lathe mirrors 12, 14 are positioned at approximately 45 to the normal so that the lens 17 can observe at an angle of approximately 90 to the normal.

5 The mirrors 12, 14 are adjustable by hand and are provided with sufficient friction to inhibit them from being moved under typical operation of the camera 16.

The attachment 10 illustrated in Figure 1 a having statically fixed but adjustable mirrors is particularly useful for traffic signal cameras where one camera 16 can be used to 10 survey a number of directions at one time e.g. up and down the same street. the attachment 10 can also be used to observe two streets which are perpendicular to one another e.g. a cross roads with traffic lights.

Referring now to Figure lb there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a television 15 screen for a camera fitted with the attachment of Figure la, generally designated 19.

The screen 19 has three segments A, B and C. The segment A corresponds to the view observed from the left hand mirror 14. The segment B corresponds to the view observed in-between the mirrors 12, 14. The segment C corresponds to the view observed from the right hand mirror 14. Two blind areas of the screen 21, 23 are also 20 shown which correspond to the pivot 13, 15 for the two mirrors 12, 14 respectively.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown an alternative embodiment for an attachment for a closed circuit television camera in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 24. Features similar to the attachment illustrated in Figure la have 25 like reference numerals. The attachment 24 comprises two mirrors 12, 14 which are mounted on respective drives 26, 28. The drives 26, 28 each having a combined electric motor and gearbox (not shown). The drives 26, 28 are mounted on a platform 30 having an upright edge. The edge is hinged 32 to the base 22 on which the camera 16 is mounted. The hinge 32 allows the mirrors to remain vertical relative to the 30 ground when the camera 16 is inclined at different angles illustrated by arrow 34.

A further drive (not shown) may be provided to move the mirrors 12, 14 out of the field

of view of the camera lens 17. This feature may be particularly useful when a traffic incident is observed so that the mirrors 12, 14 can be moved out of the field of view of

the camera lens 17 in order to observe the traffic incident with the whole field of view

5 oi the camera lens 17.

The drive units 26, 28 enable the mirrors 12, 14 to be moved transverse to the plane of the camera lens 17 in the directions illustrated by the arrows 36, 38. The drive units 26, 28 also enable the angle of the plane of the mirrors 12, 14 to be changed relative to the l O plane of the camera lens 17, illustrated by the dotted lines 40, 42.

In operation the drives 26, 28 of the attachment 24 illustrated in Figure 2 can be driven independently. The drives 26, 28 can be controlled with a joystick by an operator in a control room to obtain views of a number of areas around the camera. It will be l 5 appreciated that the attachments l O. 24 illustrated in Figures la and 2 respectively can be adapted to fit any existing security or traffic camera. Alternatively the attachments l O. 24 may be encapsulated within the body of the camera and sold as complete units.

The attachments 10, 24 illustrated in Figures la and 2 respectively may have numerous 20 reflective surfaces so that one camera can be made to view in multiple directions. This may significantly reduce the installation cost of security or traffic light cameras which in turn may reduce the maintenance costs of such systems.

Whilst a preferred embodiment for the device has been described it will be appreciated 25 that many other designs of the attachment exist that would have the desired effect of the invention with the proviso that the camera is provided with a reflective surface in the field oi view of the camera lens. It will further be appreciated that the principles of the

present invention may be utilised for other applications whereupon it is required to direct light to an appropriately configured collector. Such alternative applications may 30 include the direction of; for example, infra red or laser light to an appropriate receiver.

The principles of the present invention may thus be utilised in such applications as, for example, movement sensors and remote traffic sensors.

Claims

1. A viewing attachment for a camera apparatus, said camera apparatus having a field of view, the attachment comprising a viewing means operable to direct into a

5 portion of said field of view an image lying outside of said field of view.

2. A viewing attachment according to claim 1, wherein the viewing means comprises a planar reflective surface.

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3. A viewing attachment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reflective surface is a mirror.

4. A viewing attachment according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the reflective surface is movable in any direction up and down relative to the camera apparatus.

5. A viewing attachment according to claim 4, wherein the movement of the reflective surface is performed by hand.

6. A viewing attachment according to claim 4, wherein the reflective surface is 20 movable by the provision of a motor.

7. A viewing attachment according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the reflective surface is movable in any direction towards and away from the camera apparatus.

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8. A viewing apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the plane of the reflective surface is adjustable relative to the camera apparatus.

9. A viewing attachment according to claim 8, wherein the plane of the reflective surface is adjustable by means of a pivot provided at an edge of the reflective surface.

10. A viewing attachment according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the reflective surface is pivotable about at least one axis passing through the body thereof.

11. A viewing attachment according to any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the reflective surface is provided with a counter balance arrangement so that it maintains a predetermined orientation relative to a plane of reference.

12. A viewing attachment according to claim 1 1, wherein the plane of reference is the ground.

13. A viewing attachment according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the counter 10 balance comprises a hinge and a platform, said reflective surface being mounted on said platform and said hinge being provided between the platform and the camera.

14. A viewing attachment according to any of claims 4 to 13, wherein the viewing means is movable outwith the field of view of the camera apparatus.

15. A viewing attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the viewing means is provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces.

16. A viewing attachment according to claim 15, wherein the viewing means 20 comprise two reflective surfaces.

17. A viewing attachment according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the reflective surfaces are spaced from one another having a gap therebetween.

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18. A viewing attachment according to claim 1, wherein the viewing means are adapted to conduct an image therethrough.

19. A viewing attachment according to claim 18, wherein the viewing means comprises one of a fish eye lens, a prism and an optic fibre.

20. A viewing attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the camera apparatus is operable to relay a moving image.

21. A viewing attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the camera apparatus is one of a digital camera and a webcam device.

5

22. A viewing attachment according to any preceding claim constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A camera apparatus having a field of view, the camera apparatus further

10 comprising a viewing means operable to direct into a portion of said field of view an

image lying outside of said field of view.

24. A camera apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the viewing means comprises a planar reflective surface.

25. A camera apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the reflective surface is a mirror.

26. A camera apparatus according to claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the reflective 20 surface is movable in any direction up and down relative to the camera apparatus.

27. A camera apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the movement of the reflective surface is performed by hand.

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28. A camera apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the reflective surface is movable by the provision of a motor.

29. A camera apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 28, wherein the reflective surface is movable in any direction towards and away from the camera apparatus.

30. A camera apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 29, wherein the plane of the reflective surface is adjustable relative to the camera apparatus.

31. A camera apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the plane of the reflective surface is adjustable by means of a pivot provided at an edge of the reflective surface.

5

32. A camera apparatus according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the reflective surface is pivotable about at least one axis passing through the body thereof.

33. A camera apparatus according to any of claims 26 to 32, wherein each reflective surface is provided with a counter balance arrangement so that it maintains a 10 predetermined orientation relative to a plane of reference.

34. A camera apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the plane of reference is the ground.

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35. A camera apparatus according to claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the counter balance comprises a hinge and a platform, said reflective surface being mounted on said platform and said hinge being provided between the platform and the camera.

36. A camera apparatus according to any of claims 26 to 35, wherein the viewing 20 means is movable outwith the field of view of the camera apparatus.

37. A camera apparatus according to any of claim 23 to 36, wherein the viewing means is provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces.

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38. A camera apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the viewing means comprise two reflective surfaces.

39. A camera apparatus according to claim 37 or claim 38, wherein the reflective surfaces are spaced from one another having a gap therebetween.

40. A camera apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the viewing means are adapted to conduct an image therethrough.

41. A camera apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the viewing means comprises one of a fish eye lens, a prism and an optic fibre.

5

42. A camera apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 41, wherein the camera apparatus is operable to relay a moving image.

43. A camera apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 42, wherein said camera apparatus is one of a digital camera and a webcam device.

44. A camera apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 43 constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.