U.S. patent number 3,709,121 [Application Number 05/134,627] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-09 for photographic surveillance apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ronald Engleman, Sheldon Levine, Harris Simonson.
United States Patent |
3,709,121 |
Simonson , et al. |
January 9, 1973 |
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEILLANCE APPARATUS
Abstract
A photographic surveillance apparatus for carrying out
surveillance of cash register operations. A cash register with
goods in the vicinity thereof is photographed by a camera situated
at a distance from the cash register sufficiently great to prevent
individuals in the vicinity of the cash register from being
distracted by the camera. The camera is a motion picture camera
which is operated in a single-frame mode at least when the
totalizing key of the cash register is operated. In this way the
total cost of the items as introduced into the cash register and
the items themselves are photographed so that a correlation can be
made between the goods and the total cost thereof. The motion
picture camera is triggered to expose a single frame by a solenoid
actuated through a trigger circuit which in turn is actuated from
the cash register, with a delay being incorporated into the
operation of the trigger circuit to provide a sufficient interval
for the numerals to appear at the cash register before these
numerals are photographed.
Inventors: |
Simonson; Harris (New York,
NY), Engleman; Ronald (Elmhurst, NY), Levine; Sheldon
(Brooklyn, NY) |
Family
ID: |
22464220 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/134,627 |
Filed: |
April 16, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
396/263; 396/427;
352/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
9/04 (20130101); G07G 3/00 (20130101); G07G
3/003 (20130101); A47F 9/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
9/00 (20060101); A47F 9/04 (20060101); G07G
3/00 (20060101); G03b 029/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;95/11,15 ;346/107
;352/39 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Horan; John M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an apparatus for photographic surveillance of cash register
operations, a cash register, a motion-picture camera, support means
supporting said camera in a position for photographing said cash
register at least at the part thereof which includes the cost of
items introduced into the cash register as well as for
photographing goods in the region of the cash register, control
means operatively connected with said camera for operating the
latter to expose only a single frame at each actuation of said
control means, and actuating means operatively connecting said cash
register to said control means for actuating the latter at least
when a totalizing key of the cash register is actuated.
2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said actuating means
operatively connects said control means to said cash register to be
actuated whenever any key thereof is operated.
3. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said actuating means
operatively connects said control means to the cash register to be
actuated thereby first when the first item of a given transaction
is introduced into the cash register and then when the totalizing
key is operated.
4. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a manually operable means
is also connected operatively with said control means to actuate
the latter independently of said actuating means at will.
5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said manually operable
means includes a pair of switches one of which provides for
single-frame operation of the camera and the other of which
provides for motion picture operation of the camera.
6. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said camera includes a
rotary shutter and said control means includes a solenoid coacting
with said shutter for releasing the latter when said solenoid is
energized, said control means when actuated by said actuating means
releasing said solenoid means for return to a shutter-blocking
position when the shutter completes one revolution.
7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said control means
includes in addition to said solenoid a trigger circuit for
triggering the operation of said solenoid and a trigger delay for
delaying the operation of the trigger circuit for an interval great
enough to permit the numerals of the cash register to become
photographed upon release of the camera shutter.
8. The combination of claim 7 and wherein said control means is in
the form of a transistorized electrical circuit.
9. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said control means
provides remote operation of said camera when said actuating means
is actuated, so that wires need not extend between said camera and
cash register.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to photographic surveillance
apparatus.
In particular, the present invention relates to apparatus for
carrying out photographic surveillance of cash register operation
in commercial establishments such as supermarkets and the like.
One of the sources of substantial loss in operation of
establishments such as supermarkets is the "sliding" of merchandise
by cashiers. Thus, when goods are placed on a checkout counter, the
cashier will normally slide each item along the counter as the cost
thereof is introduced into the cash register. During these
operations it is possible for the operator of the cash register to
slide items along the counter without introducing the cost of the
items into the cash register. For example, when a personal friend
of the cashier is present the cashier can easily manipulate the
items in such a way that the cost of only part of the items is
introduced into the cash register. The problem of reducing losses
which are encountered from such operations has not been solved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to
provide a photographic surveillance apparatus which will solve this
problem.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
photographic surveillance apparatus capable of achieving
photographs of a cash register and the goods of a given transaction
in such a way that a correlation can be made between the goods on
the counter and the cost thereof introduced into the cash
register.
In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a
surveillance apparatus which can achieve such photographs without
in any way distracting the normal procedures which take place at
the region of a cash register.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
surveillance apparatus which lend themselves to variations so that
different types of surveillance can readily be carried out and also
permitting surveillance to be made for purposes other than cash
register operation.
In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a
photographic surveillance apparatus which is not only completely
reliable but which in addition is inexpensive to install and
inexpensive and convenient to operate.
According to the invention photographs are made of the cash
register operations in such a way that it is possible to correlate
at least the totals introduced into a cash register and the goods
from which the totals are derived. With the apparatus of the
invention a camera is supported at the region of a ceiling, for
example, at a location sufficiently distant from a cash register to
prevent distraction of individuals at the region of the cash
register, and this camera is automatically actuated from the cash
register through a control means for making a photograph at least
of the total calculated by the cash register and the goods from
which the total cost is derived, so that the above correlation can
be made. The camera used is a motion picture camera which normally
is operated in a single frame mode through a control means which
includes a solenoid tripped by a trigger circuit which is delayed
so as to provide before a photograph is made an interval
sufficiently great to permit the numerals to appear at the cash
register after the totalizing key has been actuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying
drawings which form part of this application and in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the checkout area of a
supermarket illustrating the arrangement of cash registers and
checkout counters as well as the arrangement of the surveillance
cameras;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for carrying out the method
and apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a system
according to the method and apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a camera and a solenoid
arrangement for controlling the camera;
FIG. 5 is a transverse section of the structure of FIG. 4 taken
along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation of a cash register and
checkout counter, illustrating the arrangement of a camera with
respect thereto as well as a control box and cables connected
therewith;
FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuitry
corresponding to the system illustrated in the block diagram of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram showing a variation of the circuitry of
FIG. 7, FIG. 8 corresponding to the block diagram of FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 shows a further variation of the circuitry of FIG. 8,
and
FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein the manner
in which the method and apparatus of the invention are applied to a
supermarket. Thus, FIG. 1 shows a series of checkout counters 10
arranged in a conventional manner at a checkout area of a
supermarket. Also, FIG. 1 shows how the cash registers 12 are
arranged with respect to the checkout counters 10. FIG. 1 shows in
particular the rear windows 14 of the cash registers 12. The
numerals appearing in the rear windows 14 of course correspond to
the costs of the items, and at the end of a given transaction the
total will appear at the window 14 of each cash register 12.
FIG. 1 also shows the ceiling 16 of the room illustrated in FIG. 1.
A series of motion picture cameras 18 are situated beneath the
ceiling 16 relatively close thereto. These cameras 18 are supported
from electrical conduits 20 and by suitable brackets 22 in such a
way that the several cameras 18 are focused downwardly upon the
several cash registers 12 and checkout counters 10 so that each
camera 18 will photograph one cash register 12 and the checkout
counter where the cash register is located so that during operation
it is possible for each camera 18 to photograph not only the cash
register 12, and in particular the numerals appearing at the window
14 thereof, but also the goods on the checkout counter. Thus, the
conduits 20 which are supported in any suitable way from the
ceiling 16 and the brackets 22 form for each camera 18 a support
means supporting the camera in a position focused upon a register
and the goods adjacent thereto for photographing not only the goods
but also the numerals of the cash register which appear at the
window 14.
These cameras 18 are preferably Super 8 motion picture cameras of
the type which are freely available for purchase by amateurs. These
conventional Super 8 cameras are preferred because it is possible
to expose therein cassettes of conventional Super 8 film also
freely available to amateurs. Thus it is possible to use with the
conventional Super 8 cameras 18 conventional cassettes which are
widely available at low cost and which are capable of making color
photographs. This particular type of camera is preferred not only
because the camera is inexpensive and freely available but also
because the film cassettes are freely available and inexpensive and
in addition can easily be removed and replaced. Furthermore, these
cassettes can be processed through conventional freely available
commercial processing establishments without requiring any special
measures in connection with the development and printing of the
film. Also, in order to project the film conventional projectors
for Super 8 film can be used. Thus, the method and apparatus of the
invention is not encumbered in any way by requirements of special
film, special film processing, or special film projection, and in
this way a considerable amount of convenience is achieved while at
the same time maintaining the operating costs extremely low.
The conventional Super 8 cameras 18 are modified only with respect
to controls to enable them to carry out a single-frame operating
mode and with respect to the objectives thereof. The conventional
objectives, normally of the zoom lens type, are replaced by high
resolution fixed focus objectives suitable for the purposes of the
present invention. These objectives which replace the conventional
objectives are capable of achieving sharp color photographs with
the cameras situated from the registers by a distance which may be
on the order of 15 feet. Thus, with such an objective it is
possible to focus a camera on a cash register situated
approximately 15 feet from the camera and the objective is capable
of making a sharp photograph not only of the rear of the register
with a clear photograph of the numerals appearing at the window 14
but also of the goods on the counter beside the register so that
with such a photograph it is possible to determine the correlation
between the goods on the counter and the items introduced into the
cash register.
While it is indeed conventional to provide Super 8 motion picture
cameras with the option of single-frame operation, the conventional
structure for achieving single-frame operation is incapable of
withstanding the wear and tear resulting from the constant and
repeated single-frame operation required by the method of the
present invention. Therefore, in addition to a special objective
which replaces the conventional objective the camera used with the
apparatus of the invention has a special structure described below
for achieving a single-frame mode of operation.
FIG. 1 further illustrates the conduits 24 extending from the
region of the several registers to the ceiling 16 for housing the
electrical wiring which extends from the region of the cash
registers up to the ceiling. This electrical wiring is then
situated above the ceiling and is received in the conduits 20 for
providing the electrical connections with the several cameras
18.
A functional block diagram of one system of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, FIG. 2 shows a large block 26 which
represents the control box and a smaller block 28 representing the
camera. Within the box 28 there are schematically illustrated the
camera motor 30 and the solenoid 32 for achieving the single-frame
mode of operation. The control box 26 is connected to a source of
power such as the line 34 providing a supply of 117 VAC from the
public utility at a suitable outlet in the room shown in FIG. 1.
This power supply through the line 34 is delivered to the unit 36
within the control box 26. The unit 36 converts the power supplied
through the line 34 to the various forms required for operation of
the camera, the solenoid and the remaining circuitry. The control
box 26 contains also a register power receptacle 38 connected
electrically to the cash register 40.
From the unit 36 connections are made with the points 2 and 3 for
the motor 30 as well as with the points 1 and 4 for the solenoid
32. The point 5 represents a ground connection and the point 6
represents a connection for interconnecting the point 5 with the
trigger delay 42.
The solenoid is controlled by a solenoid drive 44 which is actuated
from a trigger circuit 46. The operation of the trigger circuit is
delayed by the delay 42. It will be noted that the trigger circuit
is controlled from the register power receptacle 38 and also
receives power from the unit 36.
A manually operable switch S1, which is normally open, is connected
between the points 4 and 5, so that whenever the operator closes
the switch S1 the solenoid will be maintained energized and the
camera can operate continuously to provide conventional motion
pictures at will.
The point 5 is electrically connected with the trigger delay 42
through the point 6 with a conductor which includes a manually
operable switch S2 which is normally open. This switch is available
for manual closing so as to provide for a single-frame exposure at
will. In addition the switch S2 is bridged by a switch S3 which is
closed in response to operation of the cash register 40. Thus,
there is schematically represented in FIG. 2 a key 48 which may be
the totalizing key of the cash register. Whenever this key is
operated, as by being swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in
FIG. 2, the switch S3 is closed for bringing about also exposure of
a single frame.
The operation of the trigger circuit 46 is delayed by the trigger
delay 42 for an interval which may be on the order of 0.5 sec. in
order to provide an interval long enough to permit the numerals of
the cash register to appear in the window 14 when the cash register
is actuated. Thus, when the solenoid is energized to release the
camera to make an exposure the numerals will already be present at
the window 14 to be photographed.
Thus, with an arrangement as shown by the block diagram of FIG. 2,
it is possible to carry out three different types of operation. By
manually closing the switch S1 it is possible to operate the camera
as a conventional motion picture camera. This operation may be
desired for certain "panic" situations. For example during progress
of a robbery or burglary it may be highly desirable to take motion
picture photographs, and through operation of a hidden switch S1 it
is possible to operate a camera as a conventional motion picture
camera so that for this purpose the progress of a burglary or
robbery may be recorded. Also the switch S1 may be used simply to
check out the operation of the apparatus.
The manually operable switch S2 provides a second possibility of
operating the system manually to provide a single-frame exposure,
and this also may be used either for checking the operation of the
apparatus or for taking a single-frame photograph whenever
desired.
The third type of operation is that provided by way of the register
key 48, which may be the totalizing key, so that whenever all of
the goods have had their costs introduced into the cash register
and the operator then actuates the totalizing key 48, the system
will be actuated to make a single photograph of the numerals
appearing at the window 14 of the cash register and the goods from
which these numerals have been derived.
Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the block diagram
illustrated corresponds generally to that of FIG. 2. The difference
is that the switch S3 is omitted and the control box in this case
contains a current sensing circuit 50 connected between the
register power receptacle 38 and the trigger circuit 46. Otherwise,
this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 2. The embodiment shown
in FIG. 3 enables through the current sensing circuit either an
operation from the cash register according to which each item
introduced into the cash register will be photographed, so that at
every actuation of a key of the register a photograph is made, or
an operation according to which only the first item introduced is
photographed and then the totalizing actuation is photographed so
that two photographs, namely that of the introduction of the first
item into the cash register and that of the totalizing, are
provided. The manner in which the arrangement of FIG. 3 operates to
produce these two additional types of operation is set forth in
greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9. It will be
noted that with the embodiment of FIG. 3 it is still possible to
provide for manual operation by way of the switch S1 to achieve
motion pictures or by way of the switch S2 to achieve a single
frame exposure at will.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are schematically shown
therein various components of the camera 18 and the solenoid
structure which forms part of the control means operatively
connected with the camera. Thus, FIG. 4 schematically represents
the high resolution fixed focus objective 52 situated in front of
the rotary shutter 54. This shutter is fixedly carried by a rotary
shaft 56 driven from the motor 30 of the camera. H is to be noted
that the motor 30 is driven from the power supply 34 and not by a
spring or battery. Thus, this is a further modification of a
conventional Super 8 camera. With the invention the power from the
public utility used for cash register operation is also used for
camera operations so that no inconvenience is involved either with
maintaining springs tensioned or with replacing batteries.
The rotary shutter 54 is a conventional sector-shaped shutter
behind which is located the cassette 58 with the film which is
exposed. This cassette, as was pointed out above, is conventional
and is introduced and replaced in a conventional manner. The camera
has an indicator which shows when it is necessary to replace a
cassette in a fully conventional manner.
In order to provide the single-frame mode of operation the shaft 56
fixedly carries a cam 60 the configuration of which is apparent
from FIG. 5. Within the camera the solenoid 32 is supported in any
suitable way. The armature 62 of the solenoid is urged by an
unillustrated spring, when the solenoid is unenergized, to the
right, as viewed in FIG. 4, to a position where it extends to the
right beyond the cam 60 for blocking the rotary movement thereof.
The solenoid 32 is shown in FIG. 4 in a position where the armature
62 is retracted but pressed by the unillustrated spring against the
left face of the cam 60 with the spring urging the armature 62 to
the right, as viewed in FIG. 4.
The solenoid armature 62 carries a pin 64 for closing a switch 66
when the solenoid is energized. This switch 66 is connected in
series with the motor 30 so that when the switch 66 closes the
motor 30 will be energized to rotate the shaft 56. Thus, upon
energizing of the solenoid 32 the armature 62 is retracted in
opposition to the spring of the solenoid so as to release the cam
60 and at the same time close the circuit of the motor 30 so that
the shaft 56 rotates with the shutter 54. When the solenoid is
unenergized the unillustrated spring presses the free end of the
armature 62 against the cam 60, and this is the position of the
parts shown in FIG. 5. As the cam 60 continues to turn in a
clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, the edge 65 will move to
the left beyond the armature 62 releasing the latter for movement
forwardly with respect to the cam 60, thus opening the switch 66
and terminating the operation after one exposure. It will be
apparent that the helical configuration of the edge of the cam 60
is such that when the edge 65 moves to the left beyond the armature
62 the latter will move forwardly and will become situated in the
path of the edge 67 to prevent further rotation of the shaft 56 and
the shutter 54. On the other hand, upon energizing of the solenoid
the switch 66 closes and the armature 62 retracts sufficiently to
permit the cam 60 to turn to an angle sufficient to cause the left
surface of the cam 60, as viewed in FIG. 4, to prevent return of
the armature 62 back to its blocking position until one revolution
has been completed.
It will be understood that the film in the cassette 58 is advanced
in a conventional manner.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is schematically shown a camera 18
and a register 12 at a checkout counter 10.
The control box 26 is also shown in FIG. 6. This control box is
supported in any suitable way on the structure which supports the
counter 10. The control box 26 has a power supply cable 34 provided
with the plug 68 which can be received in the receptacle which
normally receives the cable from the register 12. Thus instead of
connecting the register 12 to the power-supply receptacle, the plug
68 is connected to this receptacle and serves to supply the power
through the line 34 to the control box 26. This is a metal
tamper-proof control box. The register cable 70 has its plug 72
introduced into a suitable receptacle carried by the control box
26, so that it is through the latter that the power is supplied to
the register 12.
FIG. 6 also shows an additional cable 74 leading from the cash
register 12 and having a plug 76 received in a receptacle of the
control box 26. This cable 74 provides the connection from the
switch S3 which is actuated by the totalizing key 48 schematically
represented in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 also shows the cable 78 leading from the control box 26 to
the camera 18. Thus, the wiring which forms the cable 78 will be
housed within the conduit 24 so as to extend up to and through the
ceiling 16 and will then extend over the latter to the conduit 20
through which this wiring is connected to the camera 18.
FIG. 6 also illustrates the cable 80 extending from the control box
26 to the switch S1, which may be located at any desired location
to enable conventional motion picture operation to take place.
Thus, the switch S1 may be located at the floor, for example, to be
actuated by the foot of the cashier in the event of a robbery or
burglary. However, any other desired location for this switch may
be provided. Also, the switch S1 may be actuated by any existing
store burglar alarm.
Finally, a cable 82 extends from the control box 26 to the switch
S2 in order to provide for manual single frame operation as set
forth above. This switch also may be situated wherever desired as,
for example, in a manager's office to enable the manager to take a
photograph whenever it is felt that any unusual circumstances
require a photograph to be made.
Because the circuitry described below is of a solid-state
transistorized type, it is exceedingly compact and the control box
26 can have relatively small dimensions so that it can be mounted
unobtrusively at a location such as that shown in FIG. 6 without in
any way interfering with the operations. For example, the
tamper-proof metal box which constitutes the control box 26 may
have a size of 3 by 4 by 5 inches and may be made of aluminum.
Referring now to FIG. 7, the three wires of the power-supply cable
34 are connected to a three-prong receptacle P1, to provide a
grounded connection, and the alternating current is supplied
through a conductor 34a provided with a safety fuse 84. The
register is also connected to the receptacle P1 to which the cable
34 is connected.
The power is supplied to the primary of a transformer T1 where the
power of, for example, 117 V AC supplied to the primary is stepped
down to a nominal 12.6 V AC, and at the center tap 86 of the
secondary there is thus 6.3 V AC. The secondary is provided with a
fuse 88. This fuse 88 may limit the load current to 2 amps, for
example.
Connected across the secondary of the transformer is a diode CR1
and a capacitor C1, to provide a half-wave unregulated power
supply, thus providing an unloaded 18 V DC nominal output, with
reference to circuit ground for operation of the camera
solenoid.
The diode CR2 and capacitor C2 are also connected across the
transformer secondary, to form another 18 V DC nominal half-wave
unregulated supply used to provide power for the control circuitry
of the control means housed within the box 26 and operatively
connected with the camera 18 to control the latter upon actuation
by an actuating means in the form, for example, of the totalizing
key of the register.
This 18 V DC provided by the diode CR2 and the capacitor C2 is also
with reference to circuit ground.
The bridge rectifier CR3 and the capacitor C3 across the
transformer center tap constitute a full wave unregulated supply
providing a nominal 8.8 V DC unloaded for the camera motor, with
reference to the bridge negative.
The solenoid drive 44 includes the transistor Q2 which acts as a
switch for the camera solenoid. This transistor is normally in a
non-conducting (open-switch) state. When emitter-base current is
supplied by the trigger circuit 46, the transistor Q2 conducts and
current from the diode CR1 and the capacitor C1 is allowed to flow
through the solenoid to the power supply return. The solenoid is
therefore energized for the period of time that the emitter-base
current is supplied to the transistor Q2.
The trigger circuit 46 includes the relay K1 which may be a four
pole double-throw relay as illustrated. In addition to the relay K1
the trigger circuit 46 includes the resistors R3 and R4 and the
capacitor C5. The diode CR5 connected across the relay coil is
included for transient suppression. The capacitor C6 forms the
trigger delay 42.
The relay K1 is shown in FIG. 7 in its quiescent or unenergized
condition. In this condition the DC voltage from the diode CR2 and
the capacitor C2 is applied across the resistor R3, and thus the
capacitor C5 is charged in the direction shown. Since this
capacitor is charged no base current is supplied to the transistor
Q2 of the solenoid drive 44. Thus at this time this transistor is
non-conducting.
When either the switch S2 or the switch S3 are closed, these
switches being indicated at the lower right of FIG. 7 connected to
the circuit in the manner discussed above in connection with FIG.
2, then the capacitor C6, which was previously charged, is caused
to discharge and the coil of the relay is grounded through the
resistor R6. Thus, the relay will now become energized. The
resistor R6 is included to limit the discharge current through the
switch contacts.
With the energizing of the relay the relay contacts will be
transferred so as to terminate the supply of voltage to the
capacitor C5. Thus, the capacitor C5 will now discharge through the
resistors R3 and R4. When either the switch S2 or the switch S3
returns to its normally open position the delay capacitor C6 again
charges toward the supply voltage and the relay K1 will become
unenergized. The time required for deenergizing the relay is
determined by the resistance of the relay coil and the value of the
capacitance of the capacitor C6. These parts are designed to
provide a delay of approximately 0.5 sec. This interval may be
increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the value of the
capacitor C6. When the relay K1 becomes deenergized, the contacts
of the relay return to their initial positions and the supply
voltage is again delivered to the capacitor C5. This capacitor will
now charge through the resistor R4 and the path provided by the
resistor R5 and the emitter base junction of the transistor Q2.
Therefore, emitter-base current flows and the transistor Q2
conducts until the capacitor C5 is charged. The conducting time of
the capacitor Q2 is primarily dependent upon the value of the
capacitor C5 and the resistor R5, and these values have been
determined to be the average required in order to achieve proper
single-frame operation by energizing of the solenoid.
It will be noted that the circuitry of FIG. 7 corresponds in
general to the block diagram of FIG. 2. Thus, the solenoid 32 is
connected between the points 1 and 4. The camera motor 30 is
connected between the points 2 and 3, and FIG. 7 illustrates the
switch 66 which is closed upon energizing of the camera solenoid in
a manner described above. Also the connection of the switches S2
and S3 across the points 5 and 6 is illustrated in FIG. 7.
Therefore, with this circuitry of FIG. 7 it is possible to achieve
the above-mentioned three types of operation according to which the
switch S1 may be manually closed to provide for motion picture
operation while either of the switches S2 or S3 may be closed to
provide for single-frame operation with the delay achieved by the
capacitor C6 being great enough to permit the numerals to appear at
the window of the cash register.
It is to be noted that while the switch S3 has been disclosed as a
normally open switch closed by the totalizing key 48 in the cash
register, this particular structure, while it is preferred because
of its simplicity and reliability, nevertheless is not essential.
For example it is possible to use instead a normally closed switch
connected to the same points as the switch S3 but actuated by the
drawer of the register. For example when this drawer opens the
normally closed switch will be opened so as to arm the trigger
while closing of the drawer will permit the switch to return to its
closed position and initiate the trigger operation.
Referring to FIG. 8, which corresponds to the block diagram of FIG.
3, it will be seen that the switch S3 is no longer present while
the switches S1 and S2 are maintained for optional manual operation
as described above. Also, it will be noted that the delay capacitor
C6 is not included in the circuit.
Instead this arrangement includes the current sensing circuit 50
referred to above in connection with FIG. 3. This current sensing
circuit includes the resistor R1 which is in series with the motor
of the cash register. No external register switch S3 is required,
although the manual switches may be retained. Thus, each time the
register is operated, to operate the motor thereof, there is a
voltage drop across the resistor R1. This voltage drop is rectified
by the diode CR4 and charges the capacitor C4 of the current
sensing circuit 50. The voltage across capacitor C4 causes the
transistor Q1 to conduct and thus causes the relay K1 to be
energized. The relay will remain energized as long as the register
motor continues to run. The resistor R2 limits the emitter-base
current to the transistor Q1 and provides a discharge time constant
which maintains the relay K1 energized for an interval of 10-50
milliseconds after the register motor has stopped. Then the
deenergizing of the relay will trigger the camera solenoid as
described above. Otherwise the circuit of FIG. 8 is identical with
that of FIG. 7.
This circuitry of FIGS. 3 and 8 may thus be used for photographing
each item introduced into the cash register so that every time the
cash register is actuated a photograph will be made.
The circuitry of FIG. 8 may be further modified so as to provide an
arrangement as shown in FIG. 9. This type of circuit is used with a
cash register which does not include change computation
capabilities and which is equipped with a normally closed switch S4
actuated by the totalizing button 48.
In this case the current sensing circuit 50 will sense operation of
the register when the first item is introduced and this
introduction of the first item of the transaction will serve to
energize the relay K1. The relay will remain latched in its
energized position due to the ground path 90 provided by the bottom
contacts of the relay. This latching of the relay in its energized
condition will prevent subsequent register operations from
triggering the camera until the totalizing key 48 is actuated. This
key when actuated will open the normally closed switch S4, causing
the relay to become unlatched and deenergized, and the transferal
of the relay contacts will again trigger the camera in the manner
described above.
It is to be noted that with the embodiment of FIG. 9 the capacitor
C5 is duplicated by capacitor C7 and the resistors R3 and R4 are
respectively duplicated by the resistors R7 and R8, while the diode
CR6 is duplicated by a diode CR7. Thus, through the use of the
duplicate trigger circuits of FIG. 9 it is possible to achieve
triggering of the camera solenoid both upon energizing and upon
deenergizing of the relay K1 to provide for the two photographs
referred to above as achieved with this type of circuit.
Thus, with the modification of FIG. 9 the current sensing circuit
of FIGS. 3 and 8 is used together with an arrangement which will
provide one photograph of the initial item introduced into the cash
register and a second photograph of the totalizing operation. Both
of these photographs together will provide a correlation giving for
a given transaction information in addition to that which may be
derived with an arrangement shown, for example, in FIGS. 2 and
7.
It is to be understood that all of the components of FIGS. 7-9 may
be enclosed within the box 26. Depending upon the particular type
of register and the particular type of operation which is desired
it is possible to make suitable connections and disconnections so
that one of the circuits shown in FIGS.7-9 may be selected. With
all of the embodiments the switches S1 and S2 are included to
provide for manual motion-picture or single-frame operation. With
the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 7 the operation will only provide a
photograph of the totalizing of each transaction, while with the
embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 8 there will be a photograph of each
item introduced into the cash register. With the arrangement of
FIG. 9 only the first and last cash register operations will be
photographed.
FIG. 10 schematically represents an embodiment of the invention
according to which it is possible to do away with the conduits 20
and 24 which house the wiring for interconnecting the register and
the camera. Referring to FIG. 10 it will be seen that each camera
18 is mounted by a suitable bracket 22' from the ceiling 16. Each
camera 18 is connected through suitable wiring to the source of
energy, but with this embodiment each camera 18 need not be
operated at its solenoid by a switch actuated from the register 12,
as through actuation of the totalizing key 48 thereof. Instead each
camera 18 is provided with a lamp 92 which is constantly energized
as long as the power is turned on for the cameras 18. From the lamp
92 light travels as schematically represented in FIG. 10 to the
window 14 at the rear of the cash register 12 on which the
particular camera 18 is focused. The light travels through the
window 14 to the interior of the cash register. When a given key of
the cash register is actuated, as, for example, the key 48, a flag
such as the total flag 96 will be raised to receive light from the
lamp 92. This flag 96 is provided with a suitable reflecting
material which will direct light back to the unit 94 which is
carried by the camera 18 of the embodiment of FIG. 10. While the
window 14 is incapable of reflecting light back to the unit 94, the
material of which the flag 96 is composed is indeed capable of
reflecting the light back to the unit 94. Thus, the flag 96 which
is raised upon actuation of a key such as the key 48 may carry a
highly reflecting mirror or may carry a section covered with a
paint or other suitable material the properties of which are such
that light from the lamp 92 will be reflected back to the unit 94
only when the flag 96 is raised in response to actuation of a key
such as the key 48.
The unit 94 may, for example, be a suitable photocell which
responds only to light reflected from the flag 96 and which through
a suitable amplifier is connected to the switch for actuating the
solenoid which releases the camera for a single-frame mode of
operation as described above. Thus, with this arrangement it is
possible to eliminate the conduits 20 and 24 which may not be
desirable.
It is to be noted that while a fixed focus lens of high resolution
has been referred to above as being provided with the cameras 18,
these cameras may be provided with a standard C-mount for receiving
interchangeable lenses which may have their focus adjusted, if
desired.
Also, it is possible to provide the cameras with shutters different
from rotary shutters and with suitable indicators such as a
malfunction indicator which lights a lamp or actuates a buzzer or
the like to indicate a malfunction at a particular camera. It is
also possible to provide the cameras with a remote indicator such
as a lamp or suitable buzzer or the like which indicates when it is
necessary to change a cassette at a particular camera.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide the cameras with flash
contacts for making exposures with flash illumination, and in this
case the cameras will of course be equipped with flash lamps to be
energized in order to make an exposure with flash illumination.
Such an arrangement is of utility where the cameras are to serve
also as surveillance devices for photographing burglaries. Inasmuch
as thefts may take place at night when a store is closed and when
the room is in darkness, under such conditions a flash lamp may be
highly desirable for making it possible to photograph a thief.
It is to be noted that the indicating lamps, buzzers, or the like
to indicate malfunctions or the necessity of replacing a cassette
at a given camera need not be located at the camera itself but can
be located at any desired location such as in a supervisor's
office, or the like.
It is apparent, therefore, that the surveillance system of the
invention is highly flexible and lends itself to a number of
different types of operations and uses.
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