Apparatus within a street lamp for remote surveillance
US5886738A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21W2131/103
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A covert surveillance system for viewing images from a remote location is provided. The surveillance system provides a mirror, lens and camera arrangement within a small enclosure which allows full 360 degree pan, tilt, zoom, focus and iris control from a remote location. The system receives control commands such as rotate left, zoom out and tilt down via a radio receiver, and controls the camera accordingly. Images viewed by the camera are transmitted to a remote receiver for display on a monitor, or for recording. Continuous camera rotation is achieved by use of a specialized conductive drum which provides continuous electrical contact between camera signals and camera control. In one embodiment, the surveillance system is mounted in place of a photo detector in a street lamp, making the camera virtually undetectable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.