Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a covert surveillance system and, more particularly, a video surveillance system having an apparatus that can be deployed by air to target sites of interest for real-time video information.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The prior art is replete with devices used for the purposes of video surveillance. The U.S. Patent to Martin, et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,588) issued Jan. 24, 1995, teaches of a system for achieving perspective-corrected views at a site remote from the created image. U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,370 issued to Wesselink, et al., on Apr. 23, 2002, is concerned with temporary surveillance for sites under construction or temporary building structures. Herein, Wesselink discloses a portable video system that is designed to be easily assembled and tamper-proof.  
           [0005]    Hollenbeck, et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,738, issued Mar. 23, 1999, teaches of a compact video surveillance system that is used for viewing images from a remote location capable of full 360 degree pan, tilt, zoom, focus and iris control from a remote location via a radio transmitter and receiver. The U.S. Patent to Sergeant, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,236, issued May 14, 1996, teaches of a video surveillance system that employs the use of several remote surveillance units. Each of the units have a video camera mounted inside a dome housing that is panned and/or tilted to a desired orientation within the dome. Video signals from the remote surveillance units are received by a video switcher/multiplexer that synchronizes the video signals from the remote units.  
           [0006]    None of these patents either teaches or suggests a video surveillance system that is specially encased for airborne delivery. As will be seen in greater detail hereinafter, the present invention involves all of the video surveillance features such as camera adjustments such as pan and tilt, and image adjustments while providing covert, real-time video information.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention features a covert surveillance system employing airborne delivery assets for obtaining photographic information. Exterior, high-resolution video surveillance of towns, military facilities, factories, hideouts and other areas of interest are made possible with real-time mode monitoring. The system comprises a compact surveillance assembly that may be embellished with a variety of camouflage schemes to mesh with the natural environment of deployment. The surveillance assembly is made from a sufficiently high-density material and is equipped with a penetrating nose cone configured for embedding into the earth&#39;s surface. The assembly comprises impact shock absorption means, camera means, transmitter/receiver means, a control unit and on-site power means. After being made airborne, the surveillance assemblies may be deployed to target sites by either remote guidance means (e.g., laser and GPS) or by aerial means such as airplanes, helicopters or the sort.  
           [0008]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a surveillance system that may be delivered from above ground altitudes.  
           [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide an airborne delivered surveillance system that provides real-time video surveillance.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide an airborne delivered surveillance system that provides real-time video surveillance with laser targeting.  
           [0011]    It is also an object of the invention to provide an airborne delivered surveillance system that provides real-time video surveillance that can be remotely controlled.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an airborne delivered surveillance system that may be guided to a destination with remote guiding means such as laser guidance and global position systems (GPS) employing satellite guidance.  
           [0013]    It is an additional object of the invention to provide a an airborne delivered surveillance system that provides real-time video surveillance that is covert in presentation by employing camouflaged encasings that mesh with the environmental surroundings.  
           [0014]    These and other objects, features and advantages will be more apparent from a study of the enclosed text and the appended drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detail description thereof and in which:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a front view of the Remote Surveillance Assembly (RSA)  10 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    FIGS.  2 A- 2 C are diagrammatic views of a preferred airborne delivery method, in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a front perspective of the ground impact mechanism, in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4A is perspective view of the camera means in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4B is a front view of the camera compartment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting remote operation of the Remote Surveillance Assembly using satellite signal transmissions.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an alternate airborne deployment method for short-range deployment, in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an alternate airborne deployment method for long-range deployment using G.P.S. satellite navigation, in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of alternate embodiments of the Remote Surveillance Assembly with solar energy means.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).  
         [0026]    Generally speaking this invention relates to a surveillance system that may be delivered from above ground. The surveillance system provides instant information and relays the information from a remote surveillance assembly (RSA)  10 , as shown in FIG. 1. The RSA  10  covertly houses surveillance equipment and is comprised of a rigid, highly dense material that is substantially impact resistant. The RSA  10  is preferably configured as a telescoping pipe-within-a pipe structure with a first upper pipe  100  being received by a second lower pipe  200  to assist in minimizing damaging impact forces.  
         [0027]    The upper pipe  100  serves as the housing structure for containing the surveillance equipment. As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, upper pipe  100 , has a proximal end and a distal end, and houses the camera compartment  700 , the transmitter and receiving (T/R) unit  600 , the controller compartment  500 , the battery compartment  400 , as well as an airbag assembly  300 .  
         [0028]    All of the surveillance equipment is further contained within a cage assembly  115  that rests on top of airbag assembly  300 . The airbag assembly  300  is connected to the proximal end of said upper pipe  100  and exterior to said cage assembly  115 . Upon contact with the ground surface, airbag assembly  300  automatically inflates in approximately 2 to 3 ms within the inner diameter of upper pipe  100 . The inflated airbag  300  provides a cushion to the cage assembly  115  and all of the internal components housed therein from impact forces.  
         [0029]    As can be seen in FIG. 4B, a spaced distance of height h, is provided between the uppermost portion of the interior of upper pipe  100  and cage assembly  115 . This allotted space h provides displacement room for the cage assembly  115  during inflation of the airbag  300  upon impact. After impact, the airbag assembly deflates and the cage assembly  115  resettles. Conceivably, further cushioning devices, such as springs, may be provided within space h to absorb impact forces. For instance, coil springs (and the like) or a cushion material (fabric or expanded foam) may be adapted either on the ceiling of the upper pipe  100  interior, or the roof of the cage assembly&#39;s  115  exterior.  
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the method of deployment of RSA  10  is via an airborne delivery vehicle (ADV)  800 . FIG. 2A illustrates such a deployment wherein RSA  10  is made airborne and cargoed toward a target site X. As the ADV  800  approaches the target site X, the RSA  10  is delivered in a vertical direction relative to the earth&#39;s surface. Depending on how the RSA&#39;s  10  are secured to, or within an ADV  800 , the RSA&#39;s  10  may be delivered singularly or in scores, as needed.  
         [0031]    Airborne delivery vehicles  800  may be adapted to singularly accommodate the RSA  10  or a plurality thereof in the cargo area. Depending on how the cargo area is utilized for internally securing RSA&#39;s  10 , aircraft, such as a C-130 Hercules, for example, (or similar aircraft) can hold scores at a time. A helicopter, such as the Chinook CH47 can also be employed to handle several RSA&#39;s simultaneously secured to the underside.  
         [0032]    Upon release, each RSA  10  will immediately orient itself to a vertical direction relative to the earth&#39;s surface as seen in FIG. 2B. This is principally accomplished by the very heavy, dense and aerodynamically shaped nose cone  110  (FIG. 1). The nose cone  110  is constructed of a mass and weight that significantly surpasses the combined weight of the upper pipe  100  and all its internal components.  
         [0033]    Both upper and lower pipes  100  and  200 , respectively, can be constructed of commercially available standard, heavy wall carbon steel piping. In a preferred embodiment, six-inch carbon steel Schedule  160  pipe could be used having an outside diameter of 6.625 inches with a wall thickness of approximately three-quarter&#39;s of an inch. However, it is to be appreciated that the dimensions (i.e., diameter, length, etc.), of pipes  100  and  200 , may be larger or smaller without departing from the scope of the invention. The heavy wall thickness is required to provide an adequate amount of weight for optimum earth penetration.  
         [0034]    A six-inch diameter pipe of this type falls in the range of a weight of approximately 1500 pounds, at about 45 pounds per foot. The total length of pipes  100  and  200  will vary depending on such factors as cumulative equipment packaging, signal transmission specifics, ADV  800  cargo capability, and the terrain of the target area. A rocky or mountainous terrain would require a different penetration depth than a softer grassy soil terrain.  
         [0035]    In addition to its dense metallic structure, nose cone  110  is aerodynamically designed of a conical shape. The length and width of the nose cone  110  is dimensioned in accordance with the exact density of the material selected during manufacture. The RSA  10  is configured to rapidly descend at a rate determined by the ejection height from the ADV  800 . These combined specifics of the nose cone  110  are capable of penetrating a wide variety of earth materials, and soil types, including various types of rocky surfaces.  
         [0036]    The nose cone  110  will enter the earth&#39;s surface at the target site X and drive to an appropriate depth to hold the RSA  10  securely in its final position. FIG. 2C shows the airborne delivered RSA  10  embedded in the earth&#39;s surface at the target site X. Although shown in a conical tapered shape, the nose cone  110  may take on other shapes and/or may include beveling indentations that may aide in wedging into the ground surfaces.  
         [0037]    The pipes  100  and  200  are constructed of heavy wall carbon steel, as described above. The exterior of these pipes  100  and  200  can be painted or embossed with camouflaging indicia  105  that blends with the natural environment of the target site X. Thereby, from a distance, the RSA  10  would not appear as an uncommon site. The upper and lower pipes  100  and  200  may also be embellished with camouflaging objects such as vines, branches, and the like (not shown). However, such objects are designed of lightweight materials and placed so as not to affect the necessary aerodynamic properties of RSA  10 .  
         [0038]    The RSA&#39;s  10  internal components housed within cage assembly  115  are protected from the sudden impact force via several mechanisms. One such mechanism is the telescoping pipe-within-a-pipe configuration of upper pipe  100  and lower pipe  200  (FIGS. 1 &amp; 3), which inherently aids in shock absorption. In addition, impact mechanism  205  provides impact resistance wherein lower pipe  200  utilizes a fluid-shock absorbing means.  
         [0039]    Lower pipe  100  is equipped with an impact mechanism  205  which consists of an inner chamber  210 , a lateral fluid seal  220  sealingly spanning a horizontal plane of the inner chamber, a series of breakaway bolts  230 , and a recess  215 , as shown in FIG. 3. Upon impact, a series of breakaway bolts  230  would immediately shear, allowing the upper pipe  100  to break seal  220 . Lower pipe  205  has a hollow interior chamber  210 . The seal  220  closes the hollow chamber  210  off to sealingly enclose fluid  212 . In addition to a mechanical sealing, a standard weld bead can be welded into place, or an epoxy applied, all to result in the desired temporary watertight sealing. Upon impact, and breaking off of the bolts  230 , the upper pipe  100  then enters through to the interior chamber  210  breaking the seal  220  there between.  
         [0040]    The proximal end of upper pipe  100  has a section  101  with a diameter d 1  smaller than the diameter d 2  of the remaining length of upper pipe  100 . This smaller diameter d 1  graduates in width resulting in a tapered section  101 . The fluid  212  contained within chamber  210  is pressurized and of a controlled volume such that liquid or gas escapes through the escape flow channel created by recess  215  and the tapered proximal end  101  at a specified slow and controlled rate, thus dampening delivery impact forces. Fluid  212  escapes in the direction of arrow  213 . The fluid may be a liquid (such as water, for example) or a gas (such as nitrogen, for example). If a gas is used, then the gas would be introduced into chamber  210  after the seal  220  is applied. The gas can be introduced through a common valve fitting into the lower pipe  200 .  
         [0041]    For the purposes of this disclosure, the preferred method of surveillance is video imaging. The video compartment  700 , as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, shows the video equipment in a diagrammatic fashion. Camera  710  may be equipped with a laser targeting means  712  that transmits a laser beam onto a target for obtaining the best possible imaging. The camera  710  is configured with a pan/tilt mechanism  715  for omni directional movement. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the camera may be controlled remotely or automatically via a processor contained within the camera compartment  700  or within the controller compartment  500 . The laser targeting means  712  may also be used to maintain a beam on a subject until an aircraft or other military vehicle arrives for further action.  
         [0042]    The camera means  710  can be equipped with auto-tracking capability that allows the camera to automatically lock onto and follow a preprogrammed subject. This may be accomplished by digitally analyzing pixels to precisely track the subject of interest. The pan/tilt mechanism  715  can be maintained in an automatic mode to keep the subject in a frame and also zoom to ensure that the size of subject remains constant.  
         [0043]    The upper pipe  100  has a window  730  that traverses the entire perimeter of the pipe  100  in a desired image receiving area to allow for 360 degree imaging by the camera means  710 . The length of the window  730  is of a sufficient height to correspond with the size of the lens aperture of the camera  710 . The window  730  may be of a thick acrylic material that is shatterproof and inherently resistant to external forces. It may be appreciated that window  730  may be made of any other suitable transparent material, such as glass, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is to be further appreciated that the window  730  may be a continuous structure or may be intermittent forming viewpoints around the entire perimeter of upper pipe  200  without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0044]    The camera means  710  may include a camera control unit  711  which comprises an image transmitter for transmitting images to a remote receiver, camera control circuitry for communicating with CPU  510  and for controlling the direction (i.e., pan and tilt), zoom, focus, and aperture of the camera, a radio receiver for receiving remotely transmitted camera control information and for delivering the information to the camera control circuitry. Along with controlling direction, the camera control unit  711  may control image adjustments. It is of essence to the video surveillance to provide cameras capable of automatically adjusting certain operational parameters such as focus setting, shutter speed, color adjustments and the like.  
         [0045]    For instance, in natural lighted environments, it is necessary to equalize or balance the levels of red, green, and blue in a video signal relative to the detected levels of such colors, in accordance with the spectrum of the light in the observed areas. Sunlight, for example, has a spectrum that approximates a 5,500K blackbody; hence the spectrum of reflected light from a white object will exhibit a peak in the green region. This is referred to the color temperature of an object. Herein, color filters may be used to compensate or equalize the response when color film is used to account for various color temperatures.  
         [0046]    Alternatively, in electronic imaging systems, which may be employed, it is common to provide a variable gain device, known as a white balance system, to equalize the response of an electronic imaging device in accordance with the prevailing color temperature. Automatic white balance systems may be employed wherein the levels of compensation applied to the color component of a video image are continuously adjusted in response to the measured color content of the image.  
         [0047]    The camera compartment  700  may also house a climate control unit  740 . Climate control unit  740  provides built-in thermostatically controlled camera operation allowing cold weather operation and prevention of condensation. The climate control unit  740  may be equipped with a temperature gauging means (e.g., thermometer), a cooling unit, a heater and a fan to maintain an appropriate climate for optimum operation of the camera means  710 . The climate control unit  740  will also aid in defogging and defrosting the window  730  which may occur due to external weather conditions.  
         [0048]    In addition, the camera control unit  711  may include a power supply  713  that provides power to all of the devices within the control unit  711 . The power supply  713  is electrically connected to the battery compartment  400 . The camera means  710  receives images and transmits them via an image transmitter (not shown) and relays them to a remote video data receiving means  750  (FIG. 5). The remote video data receiving means  750  may include a display means  751 , such as a monitor, as well as a video recording means  752  to record images received by the image receiver. The camera means  710  can also be equipped with an automatic video motion detection system (not shown). These operations performed on the RSA  10  may be controlled via a CPU  505  of controller means  500 .  
         [0049]    As best illustrated in FIG. 5, remote operation of the camera means  710  is as follows. When a user in a location that is remote from the RSA  10  wishes to view images from the camera means  710 , the operator at the remote control center (RCC)  910  may transmit control operations via a remote control transmitter  754 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a number of different wireless communication systems may be used to transmit and receive data signals (shown in FIGS.  5 - 7  as dashed lines).  
         [0050]    As shown, wireless signals are transmitted to a satellite device  999  and then subsequently relayed to the transmitter/receiver unit  600  of the RSA  10 . It is envisioned that the satellite  999  may be a member of the Global Positioning System (GPS) space vehicles fleet. The nominal GPS operational constellations consist of 24 satellites that orbit earth in 12 hours. GPS is funded by and controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).  
         [0051]    GPS provides specially coded satellite signals that can be processed in a GPS receiver  660 . Authorized users with cryptographic equipment and keys and specially equipped receivers, such as receiver  660  may use the GPS for signal transfer as well as the Precise Positioning Service (PPS), described further below.  
         [0052]    The Master Control facility for the GPS is located at a U.S. Air Force base control to the United States. The Master Control facility measures signals from the space vehicles that are incorporated into orbital models for each satellite  999 . The models compute precise orbital data (ephemeris) in which the space vehicles then send subsets of orbital ephemeris data to the GPS receivers  660  over radio signals.  
         [0053]    Along with the transmission and reception of long-range radio signals, the GPS system may be used to compute position, velocity and time in a virtually real-time mode. The GPS may be employed for the Precise Positioning Service for long-range deployment, in lieu of an ADV  800 . GPS receivers convert space vehicle radio signals into position, velocity and time estimates. Four satellites are required to compute the four dimensions X, Y, Z and Time. Therefore, the GPS receiver  660  may be used for navigation, positioning and time dissemination of RSA  10 .  
         [0054]    As pictorially illustrated by FIG. 6, precise positioning of the RSA  10  is possible using GPS receiver  660  at reference target locations providing corrections and relative positioning data. Herein, the RSU  10  may be initially launched and then guided via PPS. Intended targeting signals can be relayed from a flight command control unit  950  housed in the RCC  910 . The flight control unit  910  then relays the flight path signals to service vehicle satellite  999  that in turn communicates with GPS receiver  660  housed in the T/R unit  600  of RSU  10 .  
         [0055]    One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the RSA  10  may also be laser guided to a target site X. As shown in FIG. 7, flight guidance signals may be directed from flight control command unit  950  of RCC  910 . These signals may be transmitted to a relay tower  980 , or a series thereof, and subsequently relayed to receiver  610 . Receiver  610  is in constant communication with flight control processor  520  housed within the controller compartment  500 .  
         [0056]    The RSA  10  may be made airborne by launching devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and flight guided thereafter as described above in view of FIGS. 7 and 8. These launching devices known in the art can provide propulsion and lift to take RSA  10  to the appropriate altitude for gliding and guidance to the target location X.  
         [0057]    In such instances, the RSA  10  may be equipped with wings  120  and/or fins  125  to allow for rudimentary flight control. The wings  120  may be removably attached to lower pipe  200  with breakaway bolts (not shown). When the RSA  10  impacts the ground, the breakaway bolts will shear, causing the wings  120  to fall off the lower pipe  200 . Similarly, fins  125  may also be secured to the upper housing  100  with breakaway bolts (not shown). The wings  120  may be attached to the lower pipe  100  by standard servomotors  121  that allow bi-directional movement.  
         [0058]    The power compartment  400  (FIG. 1) is adapted to provide in-house electrical power for all of the equipment of the RSA  10 . A series of low wattage, long life, and rechargeable batteries  410  may be contained within the power compartment  400  for providing constant, direct current electricity sized to provide adequate energy to all of the operating equipment.  
         [0059]    The battery cells  410  may be arranged in series stacked on top of one another attached by a redundant conductor harness or bus (not shown). The battery cells  410  are designed for extreme rough handling and may be composed of rugged deep-cycle, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride. Battery cells  410  should have a minimum of one thousand hours (over 40 days) of continuous operation without recharging.  
         [0060]    In another embodiment, the RSA  10  may be adapted with a photoelectric, solar power system, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The solar power system may comprise a series of photovoltaic devices  450 , also known as solar cells. These photovoltaic devices  450  may be secured to a number of long tube branch structures  451  attached to the RSA  10  by self-deploying hinges  452  to the upper pipe  100 .  
         [0061]    The long tube branch structures  451  may be attached in a vertical fashion such that during delivery, they are in a closed state flush with the upper pipe as shown in FIG. 8A. After delivery to the desired target site X, the long tube branch structures  451  move to an open state via hinges  452  to align the photovoltaic cells  450  toward the sky for absorption of the sun&#39;s energy. Photovoltaic cells  450  are constructed of solid-state semiconductor devices that would contain no moving parts that would require maintenance.  
         [0062]    In conventional solar cell installations, most of the cells are oriented to the south for maximum sun exposure. In the instant case of the RSA  10 , this would not be readily possible. Therefore the long tube branch structures  451  are deployed in a 360-degree manner (via hinges  452 ) thereby providing maximum sun exposure throughout daylight hours to at least two branches at any time.  
         [0063]    The long tube branch structures  451  are also configured to have a specific angle of inclination relative the longitudinal axis of the RSA  10 , to take advantage of the target area&#39;s X latitude and season to absorb the maximum amount of solar energy. Photovoltaic cells  450  are employed to charge and/or recharge the battery cells  410  during daylight hours in continuous operation and supply energy for the non-daylight hours. Photovoltaic cells  450  may be attached by serial or parallel wiring harness to a charge controller unit (not shown) to prevent overcharging and/or deep discharge of the batteries  410 .  
         [0064]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit a particular operating requirements and environment will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0065]    For example, as a preferred embodiment, the surveillance device discussed throughout the invention employed the use of video cameras. However, it is to be appreciated that the RSA&#39;s  10  may alternatively or additionally include, for example, still photography cameras, infrared sensors, audio sensors, time lapses or digital cameras without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0066]    Furthermore, the surveillance equipment may comprise multiple cameras in conjunction with multiplexers, as well known in the art. In addition, it is contemplated that the system may include other external equipment such as lights, satellite transmission devices, and equipment enabling cell phone applications.  
         [0067]    As to the housing structure, the pipe housings  100  and  205  may include further multiple telescoping portions. The height of the RSA  10  may vary depending on the elevation of the environment and height most suitable for observing a desired range of the target site X. The invention has been described as having two telescoping pipes, however more telescoping sections may be added without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0068]    The possible uses of the RSA&#39;s  10  are countless. For example, the RSA&#39;s can be utilized as advanced “eyes” for scout/recon troops in a battlefield. RSA&#39;s can be deployed in front of troops before entering an area of interest. Video signals can be transferred or relayed directly to the troops on the ground. Real time information would allow ground troops to deploy in a safer and more effective manner. Deploying an RSA  10  to a specific landing zone prior to dropping off troops would allow safety analysis of the area and help prevent casualties. This same information can be relayed during Battlefield Damage Assessment. The RSA&#39;s  10  may be employed to provide visual (or otherwise) data if a battlefield during and after battle.  
         [0069]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.

Technology Category: h