NL2013755A

NL2013755A - Infrared surveillance camera.

Info

Publication number: NL2013755A
Application number: NL2013755A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Xiaoping Hu; Xia Shen; Yong He
Original assignee: Boly Media Comm Shenzhen Co
Priority date: 2013-11-07
Filing date: 2014-11-07
Publication date: 2015-05-11
Also published as: DK201400149U3; FI10833U1; AU2014101192A4; NL2013755B1; FR3012933A1; JP3195356U; DE202014105340U1; CN203554563U

Description

INFRARED SURVEILLANCE CAMERA

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a camera, in particular to an infrared surveillance camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An infrared surveillance camera has extensive application, for example in outdoor surveillance and hunting monitoring. When in use, an infrared surveillance camera is usually fixed on a selected location by a separate mounting bracket, such as on a trunk or a branch. It’s not very convenient for fitting the camera.

Summary of the Invention

An infrared surveillance camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a camera body, the camera body comprising: a first sensing module for detecting infrared radiation within a monitored region, and generating a first trigger signal when induced by the infrared radiation; a shooting module for images capturing within the monitored region; a first processing module connected with the first sensing module and the shooting module and configured for obtaining the first trigger signal, and controlling the shooting module to capture images according to the first trigger signal; wherein the infrared surveillance camera further comprises: a long-shaped insert with one sharp end and the other end fixedly connected to the camera body.

With the infrared surveillance camera provided in the present invention, the camera body can be fixed to an object such as a trunk or a branch by inserting the long-shaped insert into the attached object; so that it is facilitated to fit the camera, and it is good for hiding after the long-shaped insert is fixed and sheltered by the attached object. Embodiments of the infrared surveillance camera according to the present invention will be described in details hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. lisa diagram schematically showing the external structure in the Example 1 according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the Example 1 according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the external structure in the Example 2 according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the Example 2 according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the Example 3 according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the external structure in the Example 4 according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the Example 4 according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the infrared surveillance camera in the Example 4 according to the present invention mounted on a tree;

Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the remote controller provided in the Example 5 according to the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the communication between the camera body and the remote controller (e.g. mobile phone) provided in the Example 5 according to the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the satellite sensor provided in the Example 6 according to the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the communication between the camera body and the satellite sensor provided in the Example 6 according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example 1

Refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an infrared surveillance camera according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first sensing module 101, a shooting module 102, an illuminating module 103, a first processing module 104, a long-shaped insert 105 and camouflage housing 106. Furthermore, in accordance with a general configuration of a common camera, the camera further comprises a power supply module 11 for supplying power to each assembly of the camera and a storage module 12 for storing captured data. These two conventional modules may be used as removable parts which can be manufactured and sold independently. The serial numbers prefixed to the components herein, such as “first”, “second”, etc., are used only to distinguish the described object, and have no meanings about sequence or technology.

The first sensing module 101 is configured for detecting infrared radiation within a monitored region, and generating a first trigger signal when induced by the infrared radiation. The first sensing module typically comprises a Fresnel lens 1011 and an infrared sensor (not shown), wherein the infrared sensor may be, for example, a passive infrared (PIR) sensor. It could be readily understood that, based on configurations of different sensor, the generated first trigger signal may be a digital signal or an analog signal, and may be sent to an appropriate interface to the first processing module 104 directly or after processed by a conventional software/hardware unit such as analog/digital conversion, amplification, shaping and filtering.

The shooting module 102 is configured for images capturing within the monitored region. The shooting module typically comprises a lens 1021 and a photosensitive chip (not shown). To obtain a good shooting, the camera coverage of the shooting module can be configured to be consistent with the region monitored by the first sensing module, for example, the field of view of the lens in the shooting module can be consistent with the boundary of the sensing range of the Fresnel lens in the first sensing module. Depending on the desired imaging type, the spectral sensing range of the photosensitive chip may be visible or infrared light, or both.

The illuminating module 103 may be an infrared LED light, or a gas-filled flash lamp, or a combination of an infrared LED light and a gas-filled flash lamp. The type of the illuminating module can be selected by the spectral sensing range of the photosensitive chip of the shooting module 102, for example, if the sensing range is visible light, a gas-filled flash lamp may be selected as the illuminating module. In this embodiment, the illuminating module comprises a plurality of infrared LED lights disposed around the Fresnel lens 1011 and the lens 1021 for illuminating. For better shooting in low light or at night, the illuminating module is adopted in this embodiment; however, the illuminating module may be omitted in other embodiments.

The first processing module 104, configured to obtain the first trigger signal and control the shooting module 102 to capture images according to the first trigger signal, is connected to the first sensing module 101, the shooting module 102 and the illuminating module 103. The first processing module 104 is also configured for controlling the illuminating module 103 to illuminate when the shooting module 102 works. The first processing module, adopted as a logic processing element to achieve the function of controlling the camera, controls the connected components by carrying out the instructions. The first processing module may be a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a central processor unit (CPU). The orders executed by the first processing module 104 may be stored in local cache, or a memory separated from the processing module, such as a memory module 12. Of course, in other embodiments, it is unnecessary for the first processing module to control the illuminating module if there is no illuminating module.

One end of the long-shaped insert 105 is sharp, and the other end is fixedly connected to the camera body. The camera body can be fixed on an object by inserting the longshaped insert 105 into the attached object. In this embodiment, the long-shaped insert is provided with a thread 1051 on the surface thereof, for example, taking a screw as the long-shaped insert so that it can be inserted into the attached object such as a trunk, a branch or the ground, thus facilitating the mounting of the camera. In other embodiments, the surface of the long-shaped insert may also be provided with other shape facilitated for inserting, for example, the long-shaped insert is provided with sharp rib along the longitudinal direction on the surface thereof. The end where the long-shaped insert connected to the camera body may be offered with various possible ways of fixing, such as welding, plug, molding in one piece, or screw connection.

To achieve better concealment, in this embodiment, the camera body further comprises camouflage housing 106 having an appearance of a living body or part of a living body which the housing imitates. This embodiment illustrates an example of imitating a branch wherein the surface thereof is provided with bark and leaves as a camouflage. The lens 1021 of the shooting module 102 and the lens (Fresnel lens 1011) of the first sensing module 101 are embedded at the surface of the camouflage housing 106. The long-shaped insert 105 may fixedly connected to the camouflage housing. Most infrared surveillance cameras currently used appear in a relatively regular shape, some of them are coated in camouflage on the surface; however, they can be easily recognized due to their shapes. The camouflage housing in this embodiment is capable of being well concealed; of course, in other embodiments, the camera may have the conventional shape without with such camouflage housing.

The power supply module of the infrared surveillance camera according to the present invention may comprise a battery and/or an interface connected with other power supply module, for example, the camera may further comprise a solar energy power supply module and/or an external power supply module, wherein the solar energy power supply module is used for supplying power to the camera body with solar energy, the external power supply module is used for supplying power to the camera body with an external power supply. The called power supply herein includes directly supplying power to load module or charging the battery of the power module.

Example 2

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show an infrared surveillance camera according to another embodiment of the present invention (for simplicity, a component in successive embodiments with a function similar to that in the Example lis labeled with a numeral identical to that in the Example 1). The difference between the embodiment and the Example 1 is that, the camera body further comprises a microphone 107 and a loudspeaker 108 respectively connected to the first processing module 104. Correspondingly, the first processing module is also configured for controlling the microphone to make a record when the shooting module 102 works, and controlling the loudspeaker to play audio. If the camouflage housing 106 is adopted, a microphone port 1071 and a loudspeaker port 1081 are needed to be provided on the surface of the housing so as to ensure the effect of recording and playback of sound. An application of the infrared surveillance camera of this embodiment is to play animal sounds to lure an opposite sex animal (game call) in the woods to enrich the auxiliary features of the camera.

Example 3

Fig. 5 shows an infrared surveillance camera according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the embodiment and the preceding embodiments is that, the camera body further comprises a display screen 109 and an operating button 110 (Fig. 5 shows a variation with respect to the Example 1, however this embodiment may be combined with the Example 2) connected to the first processing module 104 respectively. The display screen 109 is used for displaying a control interface; the operating button 110 is used for inputting an instruction to facilitate a user’s operation and control. To enhance concealment, the display screen and the operating button may be disposed in the camera body without exposure outside and can be viewed and manipulated by opening the shell of the camera body, such as the camouflage housing. The display screen may be a touch screen; in this case, the operating button may be a virtual button displayed on the touch screen.

Example 4

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show an infrared surveillance camera according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the preceding embodiments, the difference is that, the camera body further comprises a first communication module 111 and an antenna 112 (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show a variation with respect to the Example 1, but the embodiment may also be combined with the preceding embodiments). The antenna 112 is connected with the first communication module 111 connected to the first processing module 104. Correspondingly, the first processing module is further configured for controlling the first communication module to wirelessly communicate with an external device via the antenna, for example, controlling the first communication module to send the images or videos captured by the shooting module to an external memory for an off-site storage.

The first communication module may adopt various possible ways for wireless communication, including but not limited to infrared communication, 2G/GPRS/3G/4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, 2.4G and Wimax. To enhance concealment, the antenna can be imitated as a thin branch. Referring to Fig. 8, the infrared surveillance camera having a function of wireless communication in this embodiment is fixed to a tree, thereby achieving an easy communication via a wireless network and a good concealment.

Example 5

Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show an infrared surveillance camera according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the Example 4, the difference is that the camera further comprises a remote controller 200 including a display screen 201, an operating button 202, a third communication module 203 and a third processing module 204, wherein the display screen is used for displaying a control interface, the operating button is used for inputting an instruction, the third processing module connected with the display screen, the operating button and the third communication module is used for controlling the display screen and controlling the first processing module depending on the instruction inputted by the operating button through the communication between the third communication module and the first processing module.

The remote controller in this example may be a device dedicated to control the infrared surveillance camera according to the present invention. The remote controller may also be an electronic device having capability of wireless communication which is installed with software plug-in. For example, by installing an appropriate software in a smartphone having an operating system, the smartphone will be converted to the remote controller, in this case, the screen of the smartphone is the display screen, the physical button or the virtual button shown on the touch screen is the operating button and the camera can be operated via the smartphone such as modifying the settings, viewing status, etc.. When an animal passes across the monitored region, the surveillance camera is triggered and begins to shoot; the first processing module can send the captured images to a user’s cellphone via the first communication module. With the remote controller of the embodiment, the camera body may be provided with the display screen and the operating button or not.

Example 6

Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show an infrared surveillance camera according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the Example 4 or 5, the difference is that, the camera further comprises at least one satellite sensor 300 (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show an variation with respect to the Example 4, however the embodiment may also be combined with the Example 5). The satellite sensor 300 comprises a second sensing module 301, a second communication module 302 and a second processing module 303, wherein the second sensing module having a structure similar to the first sensing module is used for detecting infrared radiation within an expanded region and generating a second trigger signal when induced by the infrared radiation; the second processing module connected with the second sensing module and the second communication module is used for obtaining the second trigger and controlling the second communication module to send trigger information according to the second trigger signal. Correspondingly, the first processing module is further configured for receiving the trigger information sent by the second communication module via the first communication module, and actuating the shooting module to be ready to shoot based on the trigger information.

By arranging the satellite sensor of the embodiment around the surveillance camera body, the monitored region of the surveillance camera can be effectively expanded, and the startup speed of the surveillance camera can be enhanced. For example, when sensing that an animal appears, the satellite sensor sends trigger information to the surveillance camera body, the first processing module actuates the shooting module in advance after receiving the trigger signal (before that the shooting module may be in sleep or off), when the animal continues to move closer to the surveillance camera body, which triggers the first sensing module, the shooting module will begin to capture images immediately. In other embodiments, the first processing module may be configured to, upon receipt of the trigger signal sent by the satellite sensor, the information such as the identification of the satellite and time as text may be recorded or send to the user through SMS so that the user can know more about the monitored region.

It should be noted that, the above described embodiments serve only to help to understand the present disclosure, but not to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirits of the present disclosure.

Claims

An infrared surveillance camera, comprising a camera body, the camera body comprising: a first detection module (101) for detecting infrared radiation within a monitored area, and for generating a first trigger signal when it is induced by the infrared radiation; a shooting module (102) for capturing images within the monitored area; a first processing module (104) connected to the first detection module and the firing module and configured to obtain the first trigger signal, and to control the firing module for recording images according to the first trigger signal; wherein the infrared surveillance camera further comprises: a long-shaped insert (105) with one sharp end and the other end being fixedly connected to the camera body.

The camera of claim 1, wherein the surface of the elongate insert (105) is provided with threads (1051), or the surface of the elongated insert is provided with a sharp rib along the longitudinal direction.

The camera of claim 1, wherein the camera body further comprises a camouflage housing (106) that has an appearance of a living body or part of a living body that is imitated by the camera housing, wherein the lens (1021) of the firing module (102) and the lens (1011) of the first detection module (101) are embedded in the surface of the camouflage housing.

The camera of claim 1, wherein the camera body further comprises a lighting module (103) connected to the first processing module (104), wherein the lighting module is an infrared LED lamp, or a gas-filled flash lamp, or a combination thereof wherein the first processing module is further configured to control the lighting module to emit light when the firing module (102) is operating.

The camera of claim 1, wherein the camera body further comprises a microphone (107) or a speaker (108) connected to the first processing module (104), the first processing module being further configured to control the microphone to transmit sound to take when the firing module (102) is operating and to control the speaker to play audio.

The camera of claim 1, wherein the camera body further comprises a display screen (109) or an operating button (110) connected to the first processing module (104), the display screen being configured to display a control interface; wherein the control button is configured to enter an instruction.

The camera of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the camera body further comprises: a first communication module (111) connected to the first processing module (104) and an antenna (112) connected to the first communication module, wherein the first processing module is further configured to control the first communication module to communicate with an external device via the antenna.

The camera of claim 7, further comprising at least one satellite sensor (300), the satellite sensor comprising: a second detection module (301) for detecting infrared radiation within an enlarged area, and for generating a second trigger signal when it becomes induced by infrared radiation; a second communication module (302); a second processing module (303) connected to the second detection module and the second communication module and configured to obtain the second trigger signal and to control the second communication module to send trigger information according to the second trigger signal; wherein the first processing module (104) is further configured to receive the trigger information via the first communication module, and to activate the firing module to be ready to capture images.

The camera of claim 7, further comprising a remote control unit (200), the remote control unit comprising: a display screen (201) for displaying a control interface and an operation button (202) for inputting an instruction; a third communication module (203); a third processing module (204) connected to the display screen, the control button and the third communication module, and configured to control the display screen to display, and to control the first processing module according to the instruction entered by the control button by means of communication between the third communication module and the first communication module.

The camera according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising a solar power supply module for supplying power to the camera body by means of solar energy, and / or connecting to an external power supply for supplying power to the camera body by connected external power supply.