Patent Publication Number: US-2013242092-A1

Title: Mounting of surveillance systems onto fixtures

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of priority of the co-pending U.S. Provisional Utility Patent Application No. 61/584,792, filed Jan. 9, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. Where a definition or use of a term in the incorporated reference 61/584,792 is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference 61/584,792 does not apply. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to mounting of surveillance systems onto fixtures and, more particularly, to mounting of surveillance systems wireless cameras onto preexisting light fixtures, including recessed and track lighting fixtures. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In general, most conventional surveillance systems with cameras (wired or wireless) are mounted onto rigid structures such as walls or ceiling of a building, which increases installation costs due to power and or video cabling, especially within the retail environment where the surveillance system must be inconspicuous and not interfere with the normally perceived “look and feel” of a business. Further, the camera view orientation and angles are permanently limited to only those views from walls or ceiling onto which the camera is mounted. 
     In particular, even surveillance system cameras that use batteries for power require a separate charger to prolong the use and life of the battery, which, in turn, requires a standardized AC power line. The required AC power line for the camera charger increases the operating cost of the camera installations due to the power line wiring and extra equipment, including labor costs. Not only are the power lines required for even the battery powered surveillance system cameras, but also a separate video cable needs to be laid out and concealed to make the battery powered surveillance system cameras installation effective. 
     Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current surveillance systems mentioned above, a need exists for a device that would facilitate mounting of a surveillance system with a camera without the complexities of additional power and video cables, permanent alternation of a build structure with which the surveillance systems is to be coupled (such as walls or ceilings), and lower installation costs. Further, a need exists for a device that would facilitate mounting of a surveillance system with a camera that enables adjustments of the surveillance system camera view to a desired orientation even after installation. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A non-limiting, exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a surveillance system, comprising: 
     a track lighting system; 
     a surveillance systems camera; 
     an intermediary support member that couples the surveillance systems camera with a track lighting system. 
     Another non-limiting, exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a surveillance system, comprising: 
     a track lighting system; 
     a track lighting system receptacle outlet module coupled with the track; 
     a surveillance systems camera coupled with the track lighting system receptacle outlet module. 
     Yet another non-limiting, exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a surveillance system, comprising: 
     a track lighting system; 
     a power converter circuit for a surveillance systems camera accommodated within an intermediary support member of the track lighting system; 
     the surveillance systems camera coupled with the track lighting system via the intermediary support member and powered through the power converter circuit. 
     Still another non-limiting, exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a surveillance system, comprising: 
     a surveillance systems camera that is coupled with a light socket. 
     Such stated advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used exclusively to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
       Referring to the drawings in which like reference character(s) present corresponding part(s) throughout: 
         FIGS. 1A to 1G  are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a surveillance system that uses a light fixture in a form of a track lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A to 2H  are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a surveillance system using a light fixture in a form of a track lighting system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention that eliminates the use of an actual AC adapter plug; and 
         FIGS. 3A-1  to  3 H are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a surveillance system using a light fixture in a form of a light socket fixture in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized. 
     In the description given below, when it is necessary to distinguish the various members, elements, sections/portions, components, or any other aspect or feature of a device from each other, the description will follow reference numbers with a small alphabet character such as (for example) “intermediary support member  106   a,    106   b,    106   c,  etc.” If the description is common to all of the various members, elements, sections/portions, components, or any other aspect or feature of a device such as (for example) to all intermediary support members  106   a,    106   b,    106   c,  etc, then they are simply referred to with reference number only and with no alphabet character such as (for example) “intermediary support members  106 .” 
     A preferred embodiment is provided that includes a device that facilitates mounting of a surveillance system with a camera without the complexities of additional power and video cables, without permanent alteration of a build structure with which the surveillance systems is coupled (such as walls or ceilings), and has a substantially lower installation costs. Further, various embodiments are provided that include a device that facilitates mounting of a surveillance system with a camera that enables adjustments of the surveillance system camera view to a desired orientation even after installation. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention provide surveillance systems that use existing light fixtures such as light sockets, track lighting systems, etc., which eliminate the need for the additional power or video lines, eliminating alteration of a structure (e.g., walls or ceiling of a building), and enabling much lower cost of installation while persevering the perceived “look and feel” of a business establishment. Additionally, the various embodiments of the present invention further enable for quick-setup of the surveillance systems camera, its quick and easy modification with respect to camera view orientations and angles (in addition to adjustments with respect to camera translational movement), adds modularity, expandability, and flexibly in terms of network of number and types of surveillance systems cameras installed. Finally, the present invention enables substantial concealment of the surveillance systems camera in that the camera is substantially inconspicuous and is perceived as part of the lighting fixture. 
     Light fixtures (including track lighting systems) are very well known and commonly found in most buildings such as in a retail environment, offices, and display areas. In general, most light fixtures, including track lighting systems are powered from a main AC power (e.g., 110 VAC) or 12/24 VDC lines, which are compatible with most conventional surveillance systems directly or through an Alternating Current (AC) power adapter. As detailed below, the various embodiments provided in the present invention include the use of a wireless surveillance system installed at or onto lighting fixtures and powered by the lighting fixture (e.g., track lighting systems). 
       FIGS. 1A to 1G  are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a surveillance system that uses a light fixture in a form of a track lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1G , an embodiment of the provides a surveillance system, comprising a track lighting system, a surveillance systems camera, and an optional intermediary support member that couples the surveillance systems camera with a track lighting system. 
       FIGS. 1A to 1G  illustrate well-known, conventional track lighting systems  104  as a non-limiting, exemplary light fixture that includes a track  108  for supporting fixtures such as lighting fixtures  202  ( FIG. 2A ), with the track  108  including a conductive raceway  110  for conducting electricity to the various fixtures thereon. The track lighting systems  104  further include a track lighting system adapter  150  that receives power from AC mains and conducts power to the track  108 . Most track lighting systems  104  may also optionally include well known track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112  for plugging in additional electric equipment to the track lighting system  104 , which if not included, may be easily purchased separately from third party vendors. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1G , an embodiment of the present invention provides a surveillance system  100   a,  comprising the track lighting system  104 , a surveillance systems camera  102 , and an intermediary support member  106   a  that couples the surveillance systems camera  102  with the track lighting system  104 . The track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a  is coupled with the intermediary support member  106   a  at a first end and the track  110  at a second end  116   a  (by clamps  140  and electrical contacts  142   a ), with the module  112   a  receiving the AC power plug adapter of the surveillance systems camera  102  to power the camera. 
     As further illustrated, the present invention further utilizes well-known surveillance systems camera  102  that are comprised of wireless transceiver antenna systems for transmission and reception of signals (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.), and may be associated with and include an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Such cameras also include an adjustable base-stand  118   a  (with swivel connection  146 ) that is used to couple the surveillance systems camera  102  with the intermediary support member  106   a  of the this embodiment of the present invention. In general, the surveillance system camera  102  also includes an Alternating Current (AC) power plug adapter  120   a  (that is coupled with the tack lighting system  104 ) for supply of power from the track lighting system  104  to the surveillance systems camera  102 . 
     As stated above, this embodiment of the present invention exemplarily illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1G  provides an intermediary support member  106   a  that couples an adjustable base-stand  118   a  of the surveillance systems camera  102  with a track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a,  with the track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a  coupled with the track lighting system  104  by the clamps  140 . The intermediary support member  106   a  is connected with the track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a  by a fastener  136   a,  non-limiting example of which may include at least one screw. The intermediary support member  106   a  conceals an Alternating Current (AC) power plug adapter  120   a  of the surveillance systems camera  102 , with a first end connected to the surveillance systems camera  102 , and a second end thereof connected to a track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a,  which receives power from the track lighting system  104 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1E to 1G , the intermediary support member  106   a  includes an interior chamber  124   a  that accommodates and houses an Alternating Current (AC) power plug adapter  120   a  of the surveillance systems camera  102 , and includes a lid  126  that encloses the interior chamber  124 , with the interior chamber  124  comprising posts  128  that receive the fasteners of the lid  126 . Further included is a receptacle outlet hole  130   a  for receiving a receptacle outlet  114   a  of the track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a,  which faces the interior chamber  124   a  and is used to plug the AC power plug adapter  120   a  of the surveillance systems camera  102 . Additionally, the intermediary support member  106   a  also includes a release actuator hole for receiving a release actuator  122   a  of the track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a,  which faces the interior chamber  124   a  and is used to release the track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a  from the track  108  of the track lighting system  104 , enabling complete detachment and removal of the track lighting system receptacle outlet module  112   a  form the track  108 . The intermediary support member  106   a  also includes an aperture  132   a  for enabling insertion of a cable  134   a  of an Alternating Current AC power plug adapter  120   a  connecting the surveillance systems camera  102  with the receptacle outlet  114   a.  Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1G , the surveillance system camera  102  is fully and completely installed without the complexities of additional power and video cables, permanent alterations of a build structure with which the surveillance systems is coupled (such as walls or ceilings), and has a substantially lower installation costs. Further, the surveillance system camera view is easily adjusted to a desired orientation even after installation when using a lighting fixture such as a track lighting system  104 . 
       FIGS. 2A to 2H  are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a surveillance system using a light fixture in a form of a track lighting system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention that eliminates the use of the actual, physical AC adapter plug. The surveillance system  100   b  illustrated in  FIGS. 2A to 2H  includes similar corresponding or equivalent components, interconnections, functional, and or cooperative relationships as the surveillance system  100   a  that is shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1G , and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of  FIGS. 2A to 2H  will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component, interconnections, functional, and or cooperative relationships that has already been described above in relation to surveillance system  100   a  that is shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1G . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A to 2H , the surveillance system  100   b  is comprised of a track lighting system  104 , which includes a power converter circuit  204  ( FIGS. 2G and 2H ) for the surveillance systems camera  102  accommodated within an intermediary support member  106   b  of the track lighting system  104 . The surveillance systems camera  102  is coupled with the track lighting system  104  via the intermediary support member  106   b  and powered through the power converter circuit  204 . It should be noted that power converter circuits  204  (an AC and or DC power adapter circuit) is conventional and well known, and is used with electrical devices that require power but do not contain internal components to derive the required voltage and power from mains power. 
     The surveillance systems camera  102  is comprised of a wireless transceiver antenna system for transmission and reception of signals and an adjustable base-stand  118   b  coupling the surveillance systems camera  102  with the intermediary support member  106   b.  The intermediary support member  106   b  houses the power converter circuit  204  for the surveillance systems camera  102 , with a first end  206  of the power converter circuit  204  coupled with the surveillance systems camera  102  (via cable  134   b ), and a second end  210  thereof connected to electric contacts  142   b  of the intermediary support member  106   b.  The electric contacts  142   b  receive power from a conductive raceway  110   b  of tracks  108   b  of the track lighting system  104 . 
     The intermediary support member  106   a  includes an interior chamber  124   b  that accommodates and houses the power converter circuit  204  for the surveillance systems camera  102  without the need for an actual AC plug adapter  120   a.  Also included is a lid  126   b  that encloses the interior chamber  124   b;  with the interior chamber  124   b  comprising posts  128   b  that receive the fasteners of the lid  126   b.  The lid  126   b  further includes the abovementioned set of electric contacts  142   b,  which face the exterior of the interior chamber  124   b.  An aperture  132   b  is included for enabling insertion of a cable  134   b  of the surveillance systems camera  102  for connection with the power converter circuit  204  at first end  206 . 
       FIGS. 3A to 3H  are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a surveillance system using well known and conventional light fixture in a form of a well known and conventional light socket fixture in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The surveillance system  100   c  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A to 3H  includes similar corresponding or equivalent components, interconnections, functional, and or cooperative relationships as the surveillance systems  100   a  and  100   b  that is shown in 
       FIGS. 1A to 2H , and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of  FIGS. 3A to 3H  will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component, interconnections, functional, and or cooperative relationships that has already been described above in relation to surveillance systems  100   a  and  100   b  that is shown in  FIGS. 1A to 2H . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-1  and  3 H, the surveillance system  100   c  is comprised of a surveillance systems camera  102   c  that is coupled with an existing (well known and conventional) light socket fixture  332  (best shown in  FIG. 3A-2  and  3 A- 3 ), which in this non-limiting exemplary instance is a well-known and conventional recessed light socket fixture  332 . The surveillance system  100   c  is further comprised of an intermediary support member  106   c  that is comprised of a light socket adapter  306  that allows for coupling the surveillance systems camera  102   c  with an existing light socket fixture  332 . As illustrated, the light socket adapter  306  couples with a light socket fixture  332  at a first end  308  and the surveillance systems camera  102   c  at a second end  310 . The first end  308  of the light socket adapter  306  is a member in a form of an electric contact threaded fastener that screws onto the light socket fixture  332 , with the second end  310  of the light socket adapter  306  accommodating the surveillance systems camera  102   c.  In other words, just as a light bulb is screwed onto a light socket fixture  332 , so does the surveillance system camera  102   c  facilitated by the light socket adapter  306 , where the first end  308  of the light socket adapter  306  is screwed onto the female connector portion  334  (best shown in  FIG. 3A-2  and  3 A- 3 ) of the light socket fixture  332 . 
     As further illustrated, the intermediary support member  106   c  further includes an optional extender member  304  for use with recessed light socket fixtures  332 . The extender member  304  longitudinally extends the length of the light socket adapter  306  to enable the bottom  324  of the surveillance systems camera  102   c  to extend out of the recessed portion of the ceiling  330  for recessed light socket fixtures  332  (best shown in  FIG. 3A-1  and  3 A- 3 ). The extender member  304  may also provide additional housing for the circuit for the power converter circuit (or AC adapter plug, which ever is used) for powering the surveillance systems camera  102   c  (similar to the above described embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A to 2H ). In general, the perimeter of the extender member  304  is wider so that the bottom  324  of the surveillance systems camera  102   c  can simply fit on top perimeter  314  of the extender member  304  with no further modifications. The perimeter edge  312  of the extender member  304  is coupled with the perimeter edge  310  of the light socket adapter  306 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3D to 3F , the intermediary support member  106   c  conceals an Alternating Current (AC) power plug adapter  120   c  of the surveillance systems camera  102   c,  with a first end  316  connected to the surveillance systems camera  102   c,  and a second end  318  thereof connected to the first end  308  of the light socket adapter  306 , which receives power from the light socket fixture  332 . It should be noted that the AC power plug adapter  120   c  may easily be replaced with a power converter circuit as shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 2A to 2H . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3G-1  to  3 H, in this non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the surveillance systems camera  102   c  is comprised of a wireless mini dome camera that has a transceiver antenna system for transmission and reception of signals, and includes an adjustable rotating lens  320  housed with a rotating globe  322  for modifying the camera view in any direction even if and when the surveillance systems camera  102   c  is fixed within the light socket fixture  332 . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 3H , the surveillance system camera  102  is fully and completely installed without the complexities of additional power and video cables, without permanent alterations of a build structure with which the surveillance systems is coupled (such as walls or ceilings), and has a substantially lower installation costs. Further, the surveillance system camera view is easily adjusted to a desired orientation even after installation when using a conventional lighting fixture. 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, an intermediary support member may be equipped with gooseneck type of IP camera, or an intermediary support member fashioned as a hanging chandelier type or base, with the surveillance camera  102   c  assembly and installed through the incandescent bulb receptacle. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object. 
     In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group. 
     In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.