# US 11,115,586 B2 · Systems and methods for covertly monitoring an environment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,115,586 B2 - Document ID: US11115586B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/450,039 - Filed: 2019-06-24 - Published: 2019-12-26 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-25 - Assignees: WildTech@Resolve, LLC - Applicants: WildTech@Resolve, LLC - Inventors: Eric Dinerstein; Stephen Craig Gulick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11115586B2 ## CPC - H04N 7/183: {for receiving images from a single remote source} - H04N 23/611: where the recognised objects include parts of the human body - G06V 20/10: Terrestrial scenes (scenes under surveillance with static cameras G06V20/52; scenes perceived from the exterior of a vehicle G06V20/56; scenes perceived from the interior of a vehicle G06V20/59) - G06V 20/20: in augmented reality scenes - G06V 20/52: Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects (recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69) - H04N 7/188: {Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position (signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253)} - H04N 23/11: for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/61: based on recognised objects - H04N 23/65: Control of camera operation in relation to power supply - G06V 2201/07: Target detection - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided for covertly monitoring an environment. In addition, solutions are provided for utilizing a camera to covertly monitor an environment by capturing images of a subject without the subject's awareness. In accordance with some embodiments, a system for capturing images is provided that comprises a device, a first cable, and a second cable. The device may comprise a housing having a top and a bottom, and a circuit board disposed within the housing. The first cable is may be connected to the circuit board and may extend through the top of the housing. The second cable may be connected to the circuit board and may extend through the bottom of the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for capturing images, comprising: a device, comprising: a housing having a camouflage appearance, a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and two sides, the housing having a greater length from the top to the bottom than from the front to the rear or between the two sides; a motion detector disposed within the housing; a camera disposed within the housing; a circuit board disposed within the housing; a memory disposed within the housing storing instructions and image recognition software; and a processor disposed within the housing configured to execute the instructions and image recognition software; a first cable connected to the circuit board and extending through the top of the housing; a second cable connected to the circuit board and extending through the bottom of the housing; and at least one of the first cable or the second cable mimicking a vine in color and appearance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit connected to the circuit board via the first cable; and a battery connected to the circuit board via the second cable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first cable or the second cable is coated with a material and colored to mimic a vine, wherein the material comprises one or more of an epoxy, a polyurethane, a plastic, or a rubber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the device is no greater than 0.75 inches wide, is no greater than 0.75 inches deep, and is no greater than 4.25 inches in height. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to capture an image when motion is detected in a field of view of the motion detector, the instructions stored in the memory include image recognition software, and the processor is configured to execute the instructions to process the image and identify whether a subject appears in the image. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the camera is configured to capture an image when motion is detected in a field of view of the motion detector, the instructions stored in the memory include image recognition software, and the processor is configured to execute the instructions to: process the image and identify whether a subject appears in the image; transmit data to the transmission unit over the first cable when the subject is identified as appearing in the image; and cause the transmission unit to transmit the data to a server over a network via a gateway. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the data includes the image. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the data includes an alert. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the subject is one of a human, an animal of a particular species, or a vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to wake from a power-saving sleep mode when the motion is detected. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to return to the power-saving sleep mode when the transmission unit has transmitted the data. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the data includes information regarding at least one of a time that the image was captured, a date that the image was captured, a location at which the image was captured, or a direction in which the subject was moving. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the data is transmitted over a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication network, a network that uses Long Range (LoRa) digital wireless communication technology, or a satellite network. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the motion detector is a passive infrared (PIR) motion detector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises: an ambient light sensor disposed within the housing; and an infrared illuminator disposed within the housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the infrared illuminator illuminates an environment with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the near-infrared spectrum between 850 and 950 nanometers. ### Claim 17 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the server provides the data for display on a screen associated with at least one member of a response team. ### Claim 18 A method for capturing images, comprising: detecting, by a motion detector disposed within a housing having a camouflage appearance, a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and two sides, the housing having a greater length from the top to the bottom than from the front to the rear or between the two sides, motion in a field of view of the motion detector; capturing, by a camera disposed within the housing, an image when the motion detector detects the motion; and processing, by a processor disposed within the housing, the image to identify, by image recognition software, whether a subject appears in the image. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising transmitting, by the processor, data to a transmission unit over a first cable when the subject appears in the image, the first cable extending outside of the housing and being coated with a material and colored to mimic a vine, wherein the material comprises one or more of an epoxy, a polyurethane, a plastic, or a rubber to mimic a vine. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the data includes the image.