GB2498000A

GB2498000A - Camera door viewer and surveillance system

Info

Publication number: GB2498000A
Application number: GB1122509.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Morris Coley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-30
Filing date: 2011-12-30
Publication date: 2013-07-03
Also published as: GB201122509D0

Abstract

A home security and surveillance camera arrangement for attachment to a door peephole comprising a wide-angle lens 1, a tubular optical passage 2 and a camera mounting bracket 4. The tube may pass through a door with the camera 3 attached to enable a user to view events outside, on a touchscreen display 5. Video footage may be recorded on a memory card (8, Figure 3). A microphone and speaker 10 may allow audio recording. A motion sensor or a capacitative, ultrasonic, radar or acoustic reflection sensor may allow event-triggered recording in a power-saving mode. The system may be linked to a doorbell and when someone presses the doorbell a photo is captured and displayed, or a caller may record a message if no-one answers the door. A rechargeable battery and fish-eye lens may be used and a low-light camera may enable night viewing. A universal quick release bracket may allow any camera or smartphone to be attached. A USB port (7, Figure 3) or wireless radio or BluetoothÂ® transmission may allow data transfer. Users may use the arrangement as a normal spy-hole when a camera is not attached.

Description

A CAMERA ARRANGEMENT

Field of the Invention

The present invention rejates to a camera arrangement, more particularly a camera and camera mounting, providing security recording in use.

Background and Prior Art

Safety, even within a person's home, is an increasing concern for many peopte, particularly the elderly or infirm.

Reasons for this can be identified as manifold, but include increasing populations, increasingly mobile workforces, loss of community awareness and connectivity, and media scare-mongering.

Consequences of fear can be grave, but frequently amount to solely a pervasive low level fear of strangers, which is corrosive to a persons wellbeing, health and peace of mind.

In particular, fear within the person's own home can lead to persons refusing to answer their doors or leaving their house.

In some circumstances fear may have some grounding, where in some neighbourhoods, a person's front door may open onto streets that become hazardous after nightfall or at particular ties of the day, either through vandalism, aggravated theft or violence.

Peep holes are often installed in front doors to accommodate and mitigate such fears, allowing a user to view outside their door through a fish eye lens. This lens allows a user a wide vantage point to ascertain if a person stood at their door is liable to be a threat.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of ascertaining who is at the door, whilst providing further levels of interaction and safety.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a camera arrangement including in use a wide angle lens, a tubular optical passage and a camera mounting bracket.

According to a second aspect the passage passes through a door in use, thereby enabling a user to view through a door. In this way the user is enabled to attach a camera to the bracket and form an electronic peep hole.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the camera may be a video camera, wherein the user can take moving images of events occurring outside the door, thereby recording vandalism and street happenings.

The bracket is ideally quick release so that the camera is ideally able to be mounted to the bracket easily and temporarily in order thai the user can attach the camera when and if required for alleviation of fear or for recording of particular events.

The user may therefore typically be able to look through the passage with a naked eye when the camera is not in use.

The camera may therefore be displaced from the bracket when required, such as to transfer, download or upload software, firmware or data.

Typically this transfer occurs via a wired port, such as a universal serial bus (USB).

In further embodiments the camera may be enabled with wireless connectivity, for example low frequency radio waves (LF) or BLUETOOTH (Trade Mark).

In addition or the alternative the camera in preferred embodiments includes a rechargeable, for example a lithium ion, battery. This may consequently be recharged when the camera is not in use on the bracket.

In some embodiments the camera may be independently provided wherein the bracket is multi-fit and adaptable, suitable for a plurality of manufacturer cameras or is a specific adaptor enabling use of a proprietary brand of camera, smart phone or camera-phone.

In the preferred embodiment the camera is purpose built for the arrangement and bracket. The camera ideally also includes infrared capability, wherein even in low light conditions, such as at night-time, when fear is most prevalent, the camera is enabled to record events outside the door The camera ideally includes a memory facility, and means by which to download said memory contents.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention the arrangement allows inclusion of a microphone and audio recording facility.

Additionally or in the alternative in preferred embodiments the arrangement may include voice recognition or voice prompt recording, wherein recording is started upon recognition of a voice or of audio volume meeting predefined parameters of volume or other characteristics.

In further embodiments the arrangement may include further sensors, for example motion sensors, capacitative sensors, ultrasonic Doppler sensors, radar sensors and uJtrasonic acoustic reflection-based sensors.

Such sensors are ideally included to alert the camera to activity or a presence, wherein the camera may record images and/or audio.

Inclusion of such sensors allows for permanently on modes, and power saving modes.

Such sensors, and/or microphone may be included in the lens, passage or camera.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size.

materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the arrangement in use with a camera; Figure 2 shows a reverse view of the preferred embodiment in use with a camera; Figure 3 shows a view from below of the preferred embodiment in use with a camera; Figure 4 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment in use with a camera; and Figure 5 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment in use with a camera.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and prelerred embodiment of the arrangement provides a peephole mounted camera and viewing screen designed for home security, and being a cost effective device for all home owners.

The arrangement in use with a camera as shown, thereby provides a viewing screen that attaches to a mounted peephole camera on the back of the door.

The pictured camera includes infra-red facility that takes photos continuously throughout the day, recording any visitors or anti-social behaviour occurring outside the door.

Typically the camera is connected to a door belt so that when the door bell is pressed, the camera will take a picture of the person outside and show an image of the person on the screen for the homeowner to see wherein an interactive door bell is wired into the camera. When pressed therefore, the camera screen will illuminate with the image of the visitor on the other side of the door. In some embodiments if the home owner is out, the visitor wiil be able to record a message by talking into the door bell, lens or otherwise located microphone.

Such a facility may be activated if the camera screen is not touched after a period of time wherein if inactive for a period of time, the visitor will be asked if they would like to leave a message.

The pictured embodiment includes the following: Wide angle lens (1) A tubular optical passage (2) Camera (3) Bracket (4) Backlit screen, typically 220mm x 150mm (5) Grip strip allowing a user to get a grip the camera for dismounting (6) USB power port (Figure 3, 7) Memory card slot (Figure 3, 8) On I Off, scrolling and select button (9) Microphone / Speakers (10) The camera is a contained unit, containing the lens and camera and attaches simply by pushing on and rotating until a locking mechanism is engaged.

When the camera memory is full, or the battery is low, ideally the camera may be removed from the back of the door and plugged into a computer for download or charging. The images can then be stored on your computer.

The screen ideally has buttons and some touch screen features, such as flicking through pictures etc. Said buttons consist of: buzzer off, back up, menu, power, trash, clear.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A camera arrangement including in use a wide angle lens, a tubular optical passage and a camera mounting bracket.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A camera arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the passage passes through a door in use and a camera is attached, thereby enabling a user to view through a door.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A camera arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the camera may be a video camera, wherein the user can take moving images of events occurring outside the door.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An arrangement according to claims 1, 2 or 3 including a microphone and audio recording facility.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. An arrangement according to claims Ito 4 including a motion sensor.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. An arrangement according to claims 1 to 5 connected to a doorbelL</claim-text>