IES960341A2 - A video surveillance system - Google Patents

Abstract

A video surveillance system (1) comprises a miniature video camera (2) for mounting in or adjacent a hall door of a dwelling house for enabling surveillance of the front area around the house. A radio frequency converter circuit (4) receives signals from the video camera (2) and converts the signals to radio frequency, which are in turn relayed to a television (5). The signals from the radio frequency converter circuit (4) may be fed through a video playback/recorder unit (6) to the television (5) for enabling recording of the signals from the camera (2). A user, by selecting the channel on the television (5) on which the signals from the video camera (2) are being received, can monitor the area under surveillance by the camera (2). A television aerial or cable carrying a television signal may be connected to the radio frequency converter circuit (4) for in turn relaying the signal to the television (5) or the video playback/recording unit (6).<Figs.1&2>

Description

A video surveillance system IE 960341 zd aiso, in general, are The present invention relates to a video surveillance system, and in particular, though not limited to a video surveillance system of the type which is suitable for use in a private dwelling or a small to medium size commercial or industrial building, for enabling surveillance of the front or rear area around the dwelling or building, for example, the area adjacent the front door, and also, for enabling surveillance of a driveway leading to a house or building for facilitating the detection of an intruder.

In general, such surveillance systems comprise a video camera which is mounted on an exterior wall of the dwelling or building. The camera is relatively large and bulky, and additionally, because it is mounted out of doors must be weather-protected. Such surveillance systems, in general, are referred to as video surveillance systems, and, in general, require special visual display equipment for enabling a visual identifiable reproduction of images from signals received from the video camera. Such systems, in general, are referred to as closed circuit video systems, and because of the need for special visual display equipment, tend to be relatively expensive, and relatLvely..GXpensive bp, Xu&kaXL......

' OPEN ’ϋ PuR?.a.. iUSPECTK'N ί UNDER j SEC ϊiOft 2 J ,AND RULE j ; d%. Ho. J.ZZQ OF | IE 960341 due to the fact that the video camera must be wired to the visual display equipment. This is undesirable, and in general, puts such systems out of reach of a normal family budget. However, because of the large rise in burglaries, and attacks on individuals in their private dwelling, there is a need for a video surveillance system which is relatively inexpensive and relatively easy to install, and which would be suitable for use in a private dwelling or small to medium industrial or commercial building.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a video surveillance system.

According to the invention there is provided a video surveillance system comprising a miniature video camera for location adjacent an area to be put under surveillance, a radio frequency converter circuit for receiving signals from the video camera and for converting the signals to radio frequency suitable for reception by a television and/or a video recorder/playback unit, and a power supply circuit for providing a power supply to the radio frequency circuit and the video camera.

In one aspect of the invention a pair of inputs are provided to the radio frequency converter circuit, one IE 960341 input being provided for receiving the signal from the video camera, and the other input being provided for receiving a signal from a television aerial or cable.

Preferably, the video camera comprises a housing having a first mounting means and a second mounting means for selectively facilitating rigid mounting or swivel mounting, respectively, of the housing to a structure.

Advantageously, the housing comprises a base plate, and the first mounting means comprises at least one fastener receiving means for receiving a fastener means for rigidly securing the housing to the structure, and the second mounting means comprises a first socket mounting means for swivellably engaging a first ball, a third mounting means being provided for mounting the first ball to the structure, preferably, a mounting plate is provided for mounting to the structure, and the third mounting means swivellably mounts a carrier means which carries the first ball to the structure.

Ideally, the third mounting means comprises a second socket mounting means for swivellably engaging a second ball for in turn swivellably mounting the carrier means on the mounting plate. Advantageously, the carrier means comprises a carrier bar extending between the first and second ball.

IE 960341 In another aspect of the invention the power supply comprises a transformer for transforming an AC mains voltage supply to twelve volts, and a bridge rectifier for rectifying the twelve volts output from the transformer to a five volt DC supply.

In a further aspect of the invention the housing of the video camera is of size not exceeding 200 mm by 150 mm by 90 mm, and preferably, is of size of approximately 140 mm by 90 mm by 65 mm.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block representation of a video surveillance system according to the invention in use, Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a part of the video surveillance system of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another part of the video surveillance system of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational view IE 960341 of the part of the video surveillance system of Fig· 3, Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the part of the system of Fig. 3, with a part of the portion removed, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 5 on the line VI - VI of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of the portion of Fig. 5 on the line VII - VII of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of another portion of the part of Fig. 3, Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the part of Fig. 8 on the line IX - IX of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is an elevational view of another portion of the part of Fig. 3, Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of another portion of the part of the system of Fig.

IE 960341 Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of the part which is illustrated in Fig. 6, Fig. 13 is a sectional side elevational view of the part of Fig. 13 on the line XIII - XIII of Fig. 12, and Figs. 14 and 15 are block representations similar to Fig. 1 of video surveillance systems according to other embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a video surveillance system according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, and which is suitable for enabling surveillance of the front or rear area adjacent a private dwelling. The video surveillance system 1 comprises a miniature video camera 2 which will be described in more detail below for mounting on or adjacent a front door or rear door of the private dwelling for enabling surveillance of the front or rear area adjacent the dwelling. Signals from the miniature video camera 2 are fed to a radio frequency converter circuit 4 for conversion to radio frequency. The signals are then suitable for relaying to a television set 5 for connection to the normal aerial input socket of the television set 5. In this way, a channel of the television set 5 may be tuned to IE 960341 the video camera signals, and a person by selecting the appropriate channel, can monitor the front or rear area of the dwelling through the video camera 2.

Alternatively, if desired, the radio frequency signals from the radio frequency converter circuit 4 may be connected to the aerial input of a video recorder/playback unit 6 for, in turn, relaying to the television set 5. In this way, if desired, the signals from the video camera 2 can be continuously recorded. For convenience the radio frequency converter circuit 4 is provided with two inputs, one for signals from the video camera 2, and the other for signals from a television aerial 8 or television cable.

Referring now to Fig. 2 the radio frequency converter circuit 4 will now be described, as will a power supply circuit 9 which is housed with the radio frequency converter circuit 4. The power supply circuit 9 supplies power to the radio frequency converter circuit 4 and to the video camera 2. The power supply circuit 9 comprises a transformer TRI having three input terminals 7 for receiving mains voltage at 240 volts AC or 110 volts AC. The transformer TRI provides a twelve volt AC output signal which is fed to a bridge rectifier circuit 10 comprising diodes DI, D2, D3 and D4. The twelve volt DC supply is applied to a pair of output terminals 11 from the bridge rectifier circuit IE 960341 for relay to the video camera 2 for powering thereof.

The twelve volt DC supply from the bridge rectifier circuit 10 is fed to a pair of regulators, namely, regulator RG1 and RG2 which regulate the twelve volt DC supply to a constant plus five volt DC supply for the radio frequency converter circuit 4. The radio frequency converter circuit 4 also comprises an integrated circuit chip IC1 which converts the video signal from the video camera 2 into a radio frequency signal. A pair of video input terminals 12 of the integrated circuit chip IC1 receives the signal from the video camera 2, and a video output terminal 15 of the integrated circuit IC1 provides the radio frequency signal for relaying to the television 5 or video unit 6. A terminal 16 is provided to the integrated circuit chip IC1 for receiving a signal from the television aerial 8 or from a television signal carrying cable, the signal from which is in turn placed on the video output terminal 15.

The integrated circuit chip IC1 is fed with the five volt DC supply from the regulators RG1 and RG2 through a filtering circuit which comprises capacitors Cl, C2, C3 and C4 which removes any ripples or harmonics remaining in the five volt DC supply after the IE 960341 regulators RG1 and RG2.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 11, the video camera 2 will now be described in more detail. The video camera 2 comprises a housing 20 having a front wall 21 and a base plate 22. A side wall 23 extending from the front wall 21 engages the base plate 22. The front wall 21 and side wall 23 are of plastics material and are integrally injection moulded together. The base plate 22 is also of injection moulded plastics material, and is secured to the front wall 21 by a pair of screws 24 which engages a pair of mounting post 25 extending from the front wall 21. An opening 26 in the front wall 21 which is surrounded by a cylindrical wall 27 houses a lens 28. A video camera chip 29, which in this case, is a CCD chip is located within the housing 20 adjacent the lens 28. Such chips will be well known to those skilled in the art. Control circuitry (not shown) for controlling the video camera chip 29 is also housed in the housing 20. Such circuitry will be well known to those skilled in the art.

A first mounting means is provided for rigidly mounting the housing 20 to a structure, typically, a front door, door frame or the like. The first mounting means comprises a mounting ring 30 for engaging a corresponding flange 31 which extends around the IE 960341 housing 20 from the side wall 23 adjacent the base 22.

A pair of fastener receiving means, namely, fixing holes 35 which are provided in the mounting ring 30 accommodate fastening means, typically, screws for securing the housing 1 rigidly to the structure. A second mounting means is also provided for swivellably mounting the housing 20 to the structure, and the second mounting means comprises a first swivel socket 37 formed in the base plate 22 for engaging a corresponding first ball 38. The first ball 38 is carried on a carrier means, namely, a carrier arm 39 which terminates in a second ball 40, which forms with a second swivel socket 41 which is formed on a mounting plate 44 a third mounting means for further swivellably mounting the housing 20 to the structure. In this way the housing 20 may be selectively rigidly mounted by using the mounting ring 30 or swivellably mounted by using the mounting plate 44 in combination with the carrier arm 39.

The first and second swivel sockets 37 and 41 are identical to each other, as are the first and second balls 38 and 40. The sockets 37 and 41 are just over hemispherical in shape, and thus engage the respective balls 38 and 40 with a snap fit action. The balls 38 and 40, and the carrier arm 39, are of plastics material, as is the mounting plate 44 and the mounting IE 960341 ring. The balls 38 and 40 and sockets 37 and 41 are sized so that the balls are a relatively tight fit in the sockets 37 and 41, respectively. Thus, on the mounting plate 44 having been secured to the structure, the housing 20 can be angled relative to the mounting plate 44 so that the specific area to be put under surveillance is covered by the video camera 2, and because of the relatively tight fit of the balls 38 and 40 in the sockets 37 and 41, respectively, the housing 20 remains in the desired orientation relative to the mounting plate 44. A hole 46 and a slot 47 are provided in the mounting plate 44 for accommodating screws for securing the mounting plate 44 to a structure.

An opening 48 is provided in the front wall 21 of the housing 20 of the camera 2 and a cylindrical wall 49 extends from the opening 48 into the housing 20 for accommodating an optional microphone, should it be desired to provide voice communication between the camera 2 and the interior of the house. If a microphone is mounted in the camera 2 suitable circuitry will be provided in the RF circuit 4 for providing a two way communication system from the house to the camera 2.

In this embodiment of the invention the miniature camera 2 is relatively small, and the dimensions of the IE 960341 housing in general, will not exceed 200 nun by 150 mm by 90 mm, and in this particular embodiment of the invention the dimensions A, B and C of the housing 20, see Figs. 5 to 7, are: A. 138 mm, B. 90 mm, and C. 64 mm.

In use, the video camera is installed in the desired location, by either rigidly mounting the housing 20 to a structure using the mounting ring 30, or swivellably mounting the housing 20 to the structure using the mounting plate 44 with the swivel mountings. The twelve volt DC supply from the power supply circuit 9 is fed to the video camera 2, and an output from the video camera 2 is connected to the radio frequency converter circuit 4. If desired, a television aerial 8 or a cable carrying a television signal may be connected into the radio frequency converter circuit 4 as well. The output from the radio frequency converter circuit 4 is fed to the television 5 or through a video recorder/playback unit 6 to the television 5. The video camera 2 may be powered to continuously monitor the area under surveillance, and an individual may at any time switch the television 5 to the channel on which the signals from the video camera 2 are being IE 960341 received in order to see the signals being relayed from the camera 2. Where the signals from the radio frequency converter circuit 4 are fed through a video unit 6 the video unit 6 may be continuously or intermittently operated in record mode for recording the signals received from the video camera 2.

Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15 there is illustrated alternative systems also according to the invention.

The system of Fig. 14 is illustrated by the reference numeral 50 and that of Fig. 15 is illustrated by the reference numeral 60. Both systems are substantially similar to the system 1 of Fig. 1, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. In the system of Fig. 14 the video recorder and/or playback unit has been omitted. In the system 60 of Fig. 15 the video recorder 6 is connected to three television sets 5, which may be located in different rooms of the house. Thus, the signals from the camera 2 can be received by any of the televisions by tuning the televisions 5 to the relevant channel.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A video surveillance system comprising a miniature video camera for location adjacent an area to be put under surveillance, a radio frequency converter circuit 5 for receiving signals from the video camera and for converting the signals to radio frequency suitable for reception by a television and/or a video recorder/playback unit, and a power supply circuit for providing a power supply to the radio frequency circuit 10 and the video camera.

2. A video surveillance system as claimed in Claim 1 in which a pair of inputs are provided to the radio frequency converter circuit, one input being provided for receiving the signal from the video camera, and the 15 other input being provided for receiving a signal from a television aerial or cable.

3. A video surveillance system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the video camera comprises a housing having a first mounting means and a second mounting 20 means for selectively facilitating rigid mounting or swivel mounting, respectively, of the housing to a structure.

4. A video surveillance system as claimed in Claim 3 in which the housing comprises a base plate, and the IE 960341 first mounting means comprises at least one fastener receiving means for receiving a fastener means for rigidly securing the housing to the structure, and the second mounting means comprises a first socket mounting 5 means for swivellably engaging a first ball, a third mounting means being provided for mounting the first ball to the structure, preferably, a mounting plate is provided for mounting to the structure, and the third mounting means swivellably mounts a carrier means which 10 carries the first ball to the structure.

5. A video surveillance system substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.