Larry D Sharp

US Patent:

6587152, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Oct 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/175129

Inventors:

Larry D. Sharp - Tulsa OK
Thomas W. Pogue - Tulsa OK
Jack Farnsworth - Broken Arrow OK

Assignee:

International Police Technologies, Inc. - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

H04N 5225

US Classification:

348373, 348372, 348376, 348148, 396301

Abstract:

A camcorder mounting and control system comprising a camera interface unit (termed a âcamera boxâ) and mounting tray combination. The camera box contains a camera interface circuit board having a power transmit line and battery charging voltage transmit line which function as a bridge between an in-vehicle system control unit and a camcorder. The forward end of the circuit board is provided with an electronic interface which is accessible via a forward end opening on the camera box. The camera box is received in the special mounting tray which includes a quick disconnect adapter board having a first adapter electronic interface complimentary to the circuit board electronic interface and, in electrical communication therewith, a second adapter electronic interface for receiving a cable from the in-vehicle system control unit. The camcorder is easily disconnected from the mounting tray by sliding the camera box toward the rear of the mounting tray. The camera interface circuit board may further include a control circuit electronically connected to the control line interface connections to provide secure camera function control for out-of-vehicle use, a detection circuit electronically connected to the power transmit line to sense the voltage being supplied over the power transmit line, and a transfer circuit for coordinating command and control of the camcorder as between the system control unit and the camera interface control circuit.