REMOTE WIRELESS BATTERY POWERED COVERT MODULAR MAILBOX CAMERA SYSTEM, FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL MAILBOX USE

SYSTEME DE CAMERA MODULAIRE SANS FIL TELECOMMANDEE CACHEE A BATTERIE POUR BOITES AUX LETTRES COMMERCIALES ET RESIDENTIELLES

Description

In section 3, in accordance with section 37 of the Patent Rules, only
subsection 3(1) or subsection 3(2)
should be included.
In general, the inclusion of a signature in the petition is optional. However,
in accordance with
paragraph 3.01(1)(e) of the Patent Rules, a signature is required if a small
entity declaration is included
in the petition.
Patent Application
of
David McKay
for
REMOTE WIRELESS BATTERY POWERED COVERT MODULAR MAILBOX CAMERA
SYSTEM, FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL MAILBOX USE
Of which the following is a specification:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a modular covert camera system, designed to
be deployed in
commercial and/or residential mailbox environments; in order to support the
user with
detecting and recording the theft of mail from mailboxes.
DESCRIPTION
A unique modular camera system that is designed specifically for commercial
and residential
mailbox use. The purpose of this covert camera system is to capture clear
images of any
individuals breaking into commercial or residential mailboxes from within the
mailbox itself.
The complete invention consists of a covert insert that attaches to the
interior space of a
commercial or residential mailbox. Once in place, the insert itself appears to
be a component
of the mailbox, which prevents detection of the camera system. Connected to
this insert is an
enclosure containing a battery powered camera system that lies dormant until
it is activated by
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the opening of the mailbox door. Once activated the camera system will record
continuous
video for approximately 2 minutes or until no further motion is detected.
In addition, a swappable battery compartment allows the unit to stay within
the mailbox until it
needs to be retrieved by the owner. The system maintains a true "sleep mode"
until activated
by motion at which time it will start recording the incident event. Upon a
mailbox break-in the
camera system will be activated, record video of the incident, and then send
an alert to the
user that the mailbox has been breached.
The device is completely battery powered using lithium cell technology, and is
capable of being
left out in the field for thirty or more days. The system runs on a 2 battery
system. The main
battery pack powers the camera system, while a secondary battery source
trickle charges the
main battery pack to keep it charged. Once the secondary battery source is
depleted it can be
swapped out for a charged battery pack, allowing the user to leave the camera
in place rather
than having to remove the camera system to recharge it.
In addition, the modular camera system also consists of wi-fi connection
capabilities, allowing
the device connect to a wi-fi network. A user can then remotely view the
camera on one of
their electronic devices, such as a phone, tablet or a computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top view of an embodiment of all the connecting parts that
reside within
the modular camera system. Further indicating and labelling all connecting
parts that are
composing the entire camera unit. Parts such as: the infrared (IR) sensor,
passive infrared
sensor (PIR), cone lens, lithium power battery, wi-fi enabling antenna,
circuit board, Power
Switch, USB charge connection, audio/video (A/V) output connection, and the IR
remote
sensor.
Figure 2 is a top view of the circuit board that resides within the unit. The
circuit board is
in charge of communicating with all the connecting parts in the unit. The
circuit board is
roughly 53mm by 53mm in size, and holds many important connections that
communicate with
various parts composing the entire unit. Connections such as: Light-emitting
diode (LED) port,
Video output, Power input from the battery, Recording mode switch, Power
switch, Micro SD
slot, Wi-Fl reset button, planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) and IR remote
connection.
Figure 3 is a top view of the mentioned circuit board in Figure 2. Figure 3
further
describes all the required connections going out of the upper part of the
circuit board that
connects with other parts of the modular camera system. Connections such as:
USB charge
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cable, connections between the battery and the circuit board, video output
connection, wi-fi
antenna, and the IR remote sensor that allows the user to use a remote
control, in order to
access the device's option menu once connected to the television or another
video output
device.
Figure 4 is the back view of the circuit board that resides within the unit.
Figure 4
indicates the I/O port, microphone and Camera connections. Camera uses the
twenty-four
connection strip, which connects between the camera lens and the camera input
located on the
circuit board. The circuit board also has the microphone connection
capabilities, allowing the
user to plug in a microphone for audio recording. A conversation that is
recorded on this device
cannot legally hold any weight against the recorded party, if you are not part
of that
conversation; that is one of the reasons why a microphone was not included
with the device
unit.
Figure 5 is the back circuit board view, mentioned in Figure 4. Figure 5
further describes
all the required connections going out of the lower part of the circuit board,
which connects
with other parts of the modular camera system. Connections for: IR board, PIR,
the power
switch, and the camera.
Figure 6 is the side and top view of the camera back plastic case cover.
Figure 6 depicts
the required holes for screws and connections. The indicated power switch,
allows the user to
control the power going to the camera system, by allowing it to be turned off
and on, IR remote
sensor which described in Figure 3 allows the user to plug the device with his
television or
another video output unit to allow the settings for the camera system to be
changed. The user
will be capable of changing the frame rate (5,10,15), time stamp of the
recorded video
(seconds, minutes, hours, day of the month, and the year), battery life and
other valuable
settings. The USB charge wire allows the user to have the capability to easily
plug the modular
camera system device and charge it with ease. Lastly the audio/video (A/V)
output connection
allows the user to connect the device to the television or another capable
device as mentioned
above.
Figure 7 is the side and top view of the camera front aluminum case cover.
Figure 7
indicates all the required holes for screws and connections. The connected IR
board allows the
device to detect the light level within the mailbox compartment, by adjusting
the light level of
the recorded footage. This comes in fairly handy if the recording is
commencing at darker
hours. Lastly, the connected IR board gives the device the capability to
detect motion, allowing
the device to know when to record and when to stop the recording; essentially
having a
splendid capability to conserve both, the power of the battery, and the
storage of the micro SD
card, making the device last longer out on the field.
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Figure 8 is the side and top view of the camera aluminum body case that holds
all the
components together in one place. This part serves to keep everything compact
and organized,
essentially being a manageable size device that could easily fit in the
commercial mailbox or any
other mailbox environment. The body case is currently at 10.3cm by 16.0 cm in
length and
width, and 3.0 cm in height having two inward bent sides for more protection.
Figure 9 is the side and top view of the camera aluminum main body cover case
that
seals the case closed. This prevents any external factors potentially damaging
the unit's
components, and keeps the unit and its parts safe. The case is 9.2 cm by 16.1
cm in length and
width, and 0.5 cm in height, containing two inward bent sides that allow it to
be inserted under
the bent part sides described in Figure 9.
AN EXAMPLE OF INTENDED USE FOR THE INVENTION
This covert, modular camera system has been invented specifically for the
commercial and
residential mailbox environment. The camera systems insert design allows it to
fit discreetly
into any commercial or residential mailbox. The device is meant to act as a
"witness" when the
mailbox is opened by any unauthorized individual trying to break in and take
the mailbox
contents. Unlike traditional CCTV cameras that may provide coverage of
commercial or
residential mailboxes from the periphery, this system captures unauthorized
mailbox breaches
from within the mailbox itself. This provides superior evidence, as a clear
close-up image of the
suspects face is often captured.
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