Invention Fields: Security Systems and Protection of Life & Property

Invention Background: Current level of invention technology: Level 1

The present-day market is inundated with quite a number of image transmission technologies, image analyses & system prices. Image transmission technologies: analogue, 720P, 960P, 1080P, TVI, CVI, CVBS, HD-SDI, AHD & IP. Image analyses range: 250 lines up to 4K. Price range: 20.00 up to several thousand Euro. Notwithstanding the considerable diversity in technology, analysis & price, all security cameras in existence today have 2 components in common, the image detection sensor and the lens.

The purpose of these 2 components is to convert the captured image into electrical signals. The signals are in turn amplified via an electronic circuit and transmitted (via cable or wireless transmission, depending on the system) to the recording apparatus and the control centre monitors, thus enabling real-time viewing by the security personnel.

The existing systems (i.e. technologies) suffer the following disadvantages:

A bright light pointed at the security camera (image detection sensor & lens) will temporarily incapacitate or permanently damage most of the security cameras currently available for sale in the market. Security cameras fitted with automatic lens-iris diaphragms may not suffer damage but will be incapacitated temporarily and be unable to transmit a clear image to the recording apparatus and the control centre monitors.

Some upper-range security cameras are fitted with specialised electronic circuits designed to partly eliminate such assaults, safeguarding the image detection sensor against damage and furnishing an image, howsoever faint or blurry this image might be, to the recording apparatus and the control centre monitors.

On the other hand, no security camera on sale in the market today is however able to withstand a direct laser beam assault on its lens. A laser, any laser of up to 50W that can easily be purchased at electronic & gadget shops at around US$ 50, can damage the image detection sensor by overheating. Moreover, all sorts of criminals and radicals can easily lay their hands on fire arms fitted with more powerful lasers. The pioneering invention in question offers a viable & verifiable solution to all problems associated with bright light and/or laser beam assaults. The Self-Protecting security camera is specifically designed from scratch to remain completely unaffected by any laser beam of any Wattage or colour, be that red, green, orange or blue.

The innovative Self-Protecting security camera has been specifically designed not to affect any of the known systems (or technologies) or camera resolutions (analogue, 720P, 960P, 1080P, TVI, CVI, CVBS, HD-SDI, AHD, IP, etc.), acting only on the image detection sensor and the lens. The electronic circuit of any security camera (analogue, 720P, 960P, 1080P, TVI, CVI, CVBS, HD-SDI, AHD, or IP) coupled with an arrangement of prisms, mechanical filters & heat absorption filters, render the system impervious to laser beam attacks or interference. This is accomplished by effectively blocking and/or diverting the laser beam and/or heat radiation from hitting the image detection sensor and lens. Moreover, the diverted laser beam (or heat radiation) is channeled to specialised detectors that trigger an alarm, indicating on a panel the area of intrusion whilst still furnishing a decent image to the recording apparatus and to the control centre monitors (via cable or wireless transmission).

FEATURE. In order not to excessively increase the customary dimensions of the security camera housing (in view of the extra space required to accommodate the electronic circuit, prism & filter arrangement) the security camera may have to be of smaller dimensions than those of the customary security cameras currently on sale in the market.

Short Description of the Invention as Defined by the Claims (assertions)

According to claim 1 : At the present moment there is no other security camera in the market capable of remaining unaffected by bright light or laser beam assaults. This is true for security cameras of any design, manufacture method & image transmission technology. Even more importantly, there is no other security camera in the market capable of remaining fully operational (i.e. continuing to transmit good quality images of its area of surveillance) when under assault by bright light or laser beams of any colour (red, green, orange, blue, laser beam) and Wattage available to the public.

The Self-Protecting camera has the following substantial differences over the competition: As stated in the characteristic part of Claim 1 :The security camera, of a prescribed technology & analysis (camera resolutions (analogue, 720P, 960P, 1080P, TVI, CVI, CVBS, HD-SDI, AHD, IP, etc.)), is acquired ( any security cameras of any design, manufacture method & image transmission technology can be adapted), or manufactured and fitted in a watertight & blast proof casing (exterior application) or, depending on the required protection level, in a plastic, aluminum or steel casing (interior application), please refer to Fig.l (9).

Fig.l (2) The casing fascia, manufactured of 2mm thick crystal mirror, bears 6 perforations. 4 perforations are allocated to the infrared led & white led lights, 1 perforation to the lens Fig.l(3) (which can vary in size from 2.70mm up to 50mm) and 1 perforation to the light detection sensor Figurel (4) (that activates the infrared and the white lights). Fig.l (1) & (4) are optional equipment of the each selected security camera.

Fig.l (1) is the night vision illumination lights (infrared or not).

Fig.l (5) ,is a 2mm thick crystal fitted with a photo-resistor which renders it capable of detecting bright light and laser beams Fig.l (5). This crystal Fig.l (5), fitted just behind the fascia, is capable of detecting abrupt changes of illumination and, when activated, of triggering an alarm relay. Fig.l (6) is a second 2mm thick crystal fitted at an angle of 45°. This crystal, coated with multiple polyester membrane layers plus a metallic membrane of SRS220 EXSR type (manufactured by MADICO) or equivalent, acts as a one-way or reciprocal mirror. This arrangement permits the security camera (being located in the dark side of the reciprocal mirror Fig.l (7)) to maintain and transmit a clear image whilst blocking and/or reflecting bright light or laser beams.

FEATURE. The Self-Protecting security camera's housing dimensions can either a) be kept close to the dimensions of customary security camera housing (despite the extra space required to accommodate the electronic circuit, prism & filter arrangement) by using a security camera of smaller dimensions, or b) can be decreased by utilising nanotechnology.

Fig.l (8) is a 5mm thick aluminum sheet on which the security camera is braced and in addition serves to cool the security camera down in the event of overheating caused by a bright light or laser beam assault. Function and Self-Protecting effectiveness of the system is tested to ensure that the electronic laser beam detector is operating efficiently and triggering the alarm on detecting the presence of a laser beam.

The system functions, and Self-Protecting security camera effectiveness against bright light and laser beam assaults, have been tested and the following have been found to be 95% satisfactory, beam detection; beam blocking and/or diverting; alarm triggering; maintenance of clear imaging & clear image transmission; etc.

The next step refers to non-civilian applications. In the case of a military type and of military use security camera coming under attack, the Self-Protecting security camera can be modified so that once the alarm has been activated to also respond in retaliation, i.e. by means of military 50W to 500W laser beam and/or fire arms of any caliber via a precision targeting device. The above may serve to demonstrate a) the merits of the pioneering Self-Protecting camera, being an advanced, integrated, secured and compact design at an affordable cost and b) the advantages of the invention over those of the competition and existing technologies.

Production implementation:

The security camera, of a prescribed technology & analysis (camera resolutions (analogue, 720P, 960P, 1080P, TVI, CVI, CVBS, HD-SDI, AHD, IP, etc.)), is acquired ( any security cameras of any design, manufacture method & image transmission technology can be adapted), or manufactured and fitted in a watertight & blast proof casing (exterior application) or, depending on the required protection level, in a plastic, aluminum or steel casing (interior application), please refer to Fig.l (9).

Fig.l (2) The casing fascia, manufactured of 2mm thick crystal mirror, bears 6 perforations. 4 perforations are allocated to the infrared led & white led lights, 1 perforation to the lens Fig.l(3) (which can vary in size from 2.70mm up to 50mm) and 1 perforation to the light detection sensor Figurel (4) (that activates the infrared and the white lights).

Fig.l (1) & (4) are optional equipment of the each selected security camera.

Fig.l (1) is the night vision illumination lights (infrared or not). Fig.l (5) ,is a 2mm thick crystal fitted with a photo-resistor which renders it capable of detecting bright light and laser beams Fig.l (5). This crystal Fig.l (5), fitted just behind the fascia, is capable of detecting abrupt changes of illumination and, when activated, of triggering an alarm relay. Fig.l (6) is a second 2mm thick crystal fitted at an angle of 45°. This crystal, coated with multiple polyester membrane layers plus a metallic membrane of SRS220 EXSR type (manufactured by ADICO) or equivalent, acts as a one-way or reciprocal mirror. This arrangement permits the security camera (being located in the dark side of the reciprocal mirror Fig.l (7)) to maintain and transmit a clear image whilst blocking and/or reflecting bright light or laser beams.

FEATURE. The Self-Protecting security camera's housing dimensions can either a) be kept close to the dimensions of customary security camera housing (despite the extra space required to accommodate the electronic circuit, prism & filter arrangement) by using a security camera of smaller dimensions, or b) can be decreased by utilising nanotechnology. Fig.l (8) is a 5mm thick aluminum sheet on which the security camera is braced and in addition serves to cool the security camera down in the event of overheating caused by a bright light or laser beam assault. Function and Self-Protecting effectiveness of the system is tested to ensure that the electronic laser beam detector is operating efficiently and triggering the alarm on detecting the presence of a laser beam. The system functions, and Self-Protecting security camera effectiveness against bright light and laser beam assaults, have been tested and the following have been found to be 95% satisfactory: beam detection; beam blocking and/or diverting; alarm triggering; maintenance of clear imaging & clear image transmission; etc.

The next step refers to non-civilian applications. In the case of a military type and of military use security camera coming under attack, the Self-Protecting security camera can be modified so that once the alarm has been activated to also respond in retaliation, i.e. by means of military 50W to 500W laser beam and/or fire arms of any caliber via a precision targeting device.