Patent US3709121A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3709121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photographic surveillance apparatus
Assignee: COMSEC CORP
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Filing: 1971-04-16
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-04-16
Abstract
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
- 👤 S Levine
- 👤 H Simonson
- 👤 R Engleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:17
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07G; G07G3/00; A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/045; G07G3/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 7 and wherein said control means is in the form of a transistorized electrical circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |