Imaging assembly and mounting for surveillance viewing under remote control

Abstract

An integrated, miniaturized, imaging assembly, comprising microscope size and arrangement, video camera lenses having the objective lens in a mount that is preferably a blackened sphere and that is pivotally mounted in a supporting structure rearwardly of but adjacent to the objective lens, so the forward end of the lens mount can be placed within a concave dome of unusually small and shallow size with the remainder of the imaging assembly outside of and behind the concavity of such viewing dome, and can be tilted and panned to sweep over a broad viewing area with minimum intrusion thereinto. The imaging assembly includes an electronic image-acquisition device, in line with the optical axis of the lenses, and electronic camera circuitry preferably remote therefrom. An easily movable, tripod type of mount for the imaging assembly is adapted to rest on ceiling or other structure in which the viewing dome is mounted.

We claim: 
     
       1. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor particularly for surveillance viewing under remote control from a closed circuit television system, said imaging assembly comprising an optical lens arrangement including, among other lenses, an objective lens, a mount for said objective lens, and an electronic, charge-coupled, image-acquisition device optically aligned with said lens arrangement for receiving images therefrom; mounting means for said imaging assembly; means pivotally mounting said objective lens mount in said mounting means rearwardly of but adjacent to said objective lens, so the objective lens and the forward portion of said objective lens mount can be placed within a concave viewing dome of unusually small and shallow size, with the remainder of said imaging assembly and mounting therefor substantially wholly outside of and behind the concavity of the viewing dome, and can be tilted and panned to sweep over a broad viewing area with minimum protrusion thereinto.Iadd., wherein the viewing done is unusually small when the viewing dome has a diameter of less than twelve inches.Iaddend.; remotely controlled means for panning said objective lens mount; remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in said lens arrangement; and electronic video camera means with which said charge-coupled, image-acquisition device is electrically connected. 
     
     
       2. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 1, wherein the objective lens and the other lenses of the lens arrangement are of microscopic type that are miniature relative to the lenses of a standard video surveillance system. 
     
     
       3. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 2, wherein the remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in the lens arrangement comprises remotely controlled, miniature, electric motors for respective lenses; and drive means between said motors and the respective lenses. 
     
     
       4. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor particularly for surveillance viewing under remote control from a closed circuit television system, said imaging assembly comprising an optical lens arrangement including, among other lenses, an objective lens, a mount for said objective lens, an an electronic, charge-coupled, image-acquisition device optically aligned with said lens arrangement for recieving images therefrom; mounting means for said imaging assembly; means pivotally mounting said objective lens mount in said mounting means rearwardly of but adjacent to said objective lens, so the forward end of said objective lens mount can be placed within a concave viewing dome of unusually small and shallow size, with the remainder of said imaging assembly outside of and behind the concavity of the viewing dome, and can be tilted and panned to sweep over a broad viewing area with minimum protrusion thereinto; remotely controlled means for tilting said objective lens mount; remotely controlled mens for panning said objective lens mount; remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in said lens arrangement; and electronic video camera means with which said image-acquisition, charge-coupled device is electrically connected, the mount for the objective lens being spherical in shape and pivoted on an axis extending transversely of and normal to the optical axis of said objective lens. 
     
     
       5. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 4, wherein the spherical mount for the objective lens has a black, outer, spherical surface. 
     
     
       6. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim4, wherein the remotely controlled means for tilting the objective lens mount comprises a sector gear fastened to said mount internally of its spherical shape; a drive pinion n mesh with said sector gear; and a miniature, reversible, electric motor for rotating said drive pinion in opposite directions. 
     
     
       7. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor particularly for surveillance viewing under remote control from a closed circuit television system, said imaging assembly comprising an optical lens arrangement including, among other lenses, an objective lens, a mount for said objective lens, and an electronic, charge-coupled, image-acquisition device optically aligned with said lens arrangement for receiving images therefrom; mounting means for said imaging assembly; means pivotally mounting said objective lens mount in said mounting means rearwardly of but adjacent to said objective lens, so the forward end of said objective lens mount can be placed within a concave viewing dome of unusually small and shallow size, with the remainder of said imaging assembly outside of and behind the concavity of the viewing dome, and can be tilted and panned to sweep over a broad viewing area with minimum protrusion thereinto.Iadd., wherein the viewing done is unusually small when the viewing dome has a diameter of less than twelve inches.Iaddend.; remotely controlled means for tilting said objective lens mount; remotely controlled means for panning said objective lens mount; remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in said lens arrangement; and electronic video camera means with which said image-acquisition, charge-coupled device is electrically connected, the imaging assembly mounting means comprising a turntable; mounting means for said turntable; and a pair of arms depending from said turntable, the objective lens mount being pivotally mounted in and between the lower ends of the arms of said pair; the remotely controlled means for panning the objective lens mount comprising a remotely controlled, miniature, electric motor; and drive means between said electric motor and said turntable. 
     
     
       8. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 7, wherein the components of the imaging assembly are physically aligned longitudinally of and between the arms of the pair and are rigidly interconnected so as to tilt with the objective lens mount relative to said arms. 
     
     
       9. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 8, wherein the electronic camera means is mounted on one of the arms of the pair; wherein electric cable means adapted for connection into a closed circuit television system passes into the imaging assembly through the turntable and is connected with the electronic camera means and the motor means; and wherein means are provided adjacent to said turntable for preventing said cable from undue twisting. 
     
     
       10. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 9, wherein the means provided to prevent undue twisting of the cable is a slip ring. 
     
     
       11. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 7, wherein the mounting means for the turntable comprises a platform in which the turntable is mounted, and a plurality of legs depending from said platform to terminations in feet adapted to rest on a supporting surface about at the pivoting level of the objective lens mount. 
     
     
       12. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 11, wherein the feet are height adjustably attached to the lower ends of the legs. 
     
     
       13. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 12, wherein the positions of the legs are laterally adjustable relative to the .Iadd.platform. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       14. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 7, including electrically-operated parking brake means for holding the objective lens mounting and the turntable, respectively, in position upon de-energization of their motor means. 
     
     
       15. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 7, wherein the objective lens and the other lenses of the lens arrangement are of microscopic type that are miniature relative to the lenses of a standard video surveillance camera. 
     
     
       16. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 15, wherein the remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in the lens arrangement comprises remotely controlled, miniature, electric motors for respective lenses; and drive means between said motors and the respective lenses. 
     
     
       17. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 15, wherein the mount for the objective lens is spherical in shape and is pivoted on an axis extending transversely of and normal to the optical axis of said objective lens. 
     
     
       18. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 17, wherein the spherical mount for the objective lens has a black, outer, spherical surface. 
     
     
       19. An integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor according to claim 17, wherein the remotely controlled means for tilting the objective lens mount comprises a sector gear fastened to said mount internally of its spherical shape; a drive pinion in mesh with said sector gear; and a miniature, reversible, electric motor for rotating said drive pinion in opposite directions. 
     
     
       20. An inconspicuous but broad sweep surveillance video viewing installation, comprising a concave viewing dome of unusually small size and shallow depth positioned for broad sweep viewing with its concavity facing upwardly.Iadd., wherein the viewing dome is unusually small when the viewing dome has a diameter of less than twelve inches.Iaddend.; an integrated imaging assembly and mounting therefor adapted for interconnection with a closed circuit television system, said imaging assembly comprising an optical lens arrangement including, among other lenses, an objective lens, a mount for said objective lens, and an electronic, charge-coupled, image-acquisition device optically aligned with said lens arrangement for receiving images therefrom; mounting means for said imaging assembly positioned above and substantially wholly outside the concavity of said dome; means pivotally mounting said objective lens mount in said mounting means rearwardly of but adjacent to said objective lens at about the level of the opening of the concavity of the dome, so the objective lens and forward portion of said objective lens mount is within said dome, with the remainder of said imaging assembly and mounting therefor substantially wholly outside of and behind the concavity of the dome, and can be tilted and panned to sweep over a broad viewing area with minimum protrusion thereinto; remotely controlled means for tilting said objective lens mount; remotely controlled means for panning said objective lens mount; remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in said lens arrangement; and electronic video camera means with which said image-acquisition, charge-coupled device is electrically connected. 
     
     
       21. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 20, wherein the objective lens and the other lenses of the lens arrangement are of microscope type that are miniature relative to the lenses of a standard video surveillance system. 
     
     
       22. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 21, wherein the remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in the lens arrangement comprises remotely controlled, miniature, electric motors for respective lenses; and drive means between said motors and the respective lenses. 
     
     
       23. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 20, wherein the mount for the objective lens is spherical in shape and is pivoted on an axis extending transversely of and normal to the optical axis of said objective lens. 
     
     
       24. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 23, wherein the spherical mount for the objective lens has a black, outer, spherical surface. 
     
     
       25. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 23,wherein the remotely controlled means for tilting the objective lens mount comprises a sector gear fastened to said mount internally of its spherical shape; a drive pinion in mesh with said sector gear; and a miniature, reversible, electric motor for rotating said drive pinion in opposite directions. 
     
     
       26. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 20, wherein the imaging assembly mounting means comprises a turntable; mounting means for said turntable; and a pair of arms depending from said turntable, the objective lens mount being pivotally mounted in and between the lower ends of the arms of said pair; and wherein the remotely controlled means for panning the objective lens mount comprises a remotely controlled, miniature, electric motor; and drive means between said electric motor and said turntable. 
     
     
       27. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 26, wherein the components of the imaging assembly are physically aligned longitudinally of and between the arms of the pair and are rigidly interconnected so as to tilt with the objective lens mount relative to said arms. 
     
     
       28. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 27, wherein the electronic camera mans is mounted on one of the arms of the pair; wherein electric cable means adapted for connection into a closed circuit television system passes into the imaging assembly through the turntable and is connected with the electronic camera means and the motor means; and wherein means are provided adjacent to said turntable for preventing said cable from undue twisting. 
     
     
       29. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 28, wherein the means provided to prevent undue twisting of the cable is a slip ring device. 
     
     
       30. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 26, wherein the mounting means for the turntable comprises a platform in which the turntable is mounted, and a plurality of legs depending from said platform to terminations in feet adapted to rest on a supporting surface about at the pivoting level of the objective lens mount. 
     
     
       31. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 30, wherein the feet are height adjustably attached to the lower ends of the legs. 
     
     
       32. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 31, wherein the positions of the legs are laterally adjustable relative to the platform. 
     
     
       33. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 26, including electrically operated parking brake means for holding the objective lens mounting and the turntable, respectively, in position upon de-energization of their motor means. 
     
     
       34. A surveillance video viewing according to claim 26, wherein the objective lens and the other lenses of the lens arrangement are of microscope type that are miniature relative to the lenses of a standard video surveillance system. 
     
     
       35. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 34, wherein the remotely controlled means for adjusting the positions of lenses in the lens arrangement comprises remotely controlled, miniature, electric motors for respective lenses; and drive means between said motors and the respective lens. 
     
     
       36. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 34, wherein the mount for the objective lens is spherical in shape and is pivoted on an axis extending transversely of and normal to the optical axis of said objective lens. 
     
     
       37. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 36, wherein the spherical mount for the objective lens has a black, outer, spherical surface. 
     
     
       38. A surveillance video viewing installation according to claim 36, wherein the remotely controlled means for tilting the objective lens mount comprises a sector gear fastened to said mount internally of its spherical shape; a drive pinion in mesh with said sector gear; and a miniature, reversible, electric motor for rotating said drive pinion in opposite directions. .Iadd. 
     
     
       39.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined viewing direction and converting said image into signals processable into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area; and   (d) objective lens orientation means for pivoting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device from said mounting structure about an associated pivot point located rearwardly of and adjacent to said objective lens, thereby to vary said predetermined viewing direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A surveillance device as recited in claim 39, further comprising covert viewing enhancement means secured to said objective lens and being pivotable therewith for reducing the reflection from said surveillance device of light from the viewing area, thereby to reduce the ability of an observer in the viewing area to ascertain said predetermined   
     
     
        viewing direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 40, wherein said covert viewing enhancement means comprises a spherical shield secured concentrically about the optical axis of said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A surveillance device as recited in claim 41, wherein said spherical shield is disposed in a substantially concentric relationship to said pivot point of said objective lens orientation means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A surveillance device as recited in claim 39, wherein said image-acquisition device remains outside of the viewing area in said predetermined viewing directions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A surveillance device as recited in claim 39, wherein said viewing area is bounded by surfaces defining a viewing area enclosure, and wherein said image-acquisition device remains outside of the viewing area for any said predetermined viewing direction oriented normal to said enclosure at the location on a surface thereof at which said surveillance device is 
     
     
        installed. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) a mounting structure;   (b) an objective lens;   (c) a substantially spherical objective lens mount, said objective lens being secured in a surface of said lens mount to permit outward viewing through said objective lens along a preselected viewing directions, said lens mount being upheld from said mounting structure for pivotable movement on a tilting axis disposed normal to the optical axis of said objective lens at a point on said optical axis located to the rear of said   
     
     
        objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 45, wherein said objective lens mount is pivotable relative to said mounting structure for panning movement about a panning axis disposed normal to said tilting axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. A surveillance device as recited in claim 46, wherein said panning axis intersects said tilting axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. A surveillance device as recited in claim 45, wherein the viewing area is bounded by a plurality of surfaces defining a viewing area enclosure, and wherein said tilting axis is disposed parallel and proximate to a surface of the viewing area at a preselected 
     
     
        installation location for said surveillance device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, the viewing area being bounded by a plurality of surfaces defining a viewing area enclosure through which a viewing aperture is formed at a preselected installation location, said surveillance device comprising: (a) a viewing dome securable inside the viewing area against a surface of the enclosure covering the viewing aperture;   (b) an objective lens;   (c) an image-acquisition device in optical alignment with said objective lens;   (d) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens and image-acquisition device, said mounting structure being positioned at the installation site outside of said viewing area with said objective lens protruding through said viewing aperture into the space within said viewing dome; and   (e) objective lens orientation means for pivoting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device from said mounting structure about an associated pivot point located proximate to a surface of the viewing area   
     
     
        enclosure at the viewing aperture. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 49, further comprising a substantially spherical shield having said objective lens secured in a surface thereof and being disposed at least partially in said viewing dome, thereby to block visual access from the viewing area through said viewing aperture. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.51.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, the viewing area being bounded by surfaces defining a viewing area enclosure, said surveillance device comprising: (a) means for viewing into the viewing area along a preselected viewing direction and for presenting an image of the viewing area along said preselected viewing direction, said means for viewing having a free end proximate to the viewing area;   (b) an image-acquisition device mounted at the end of said means for viewing opposite said free end thereof, said image-acquisition device being in optical alignment with said means for viewing and being capable of receiving said image of the viewing area and converting said image into signals processable into video signals;   (c) support means for upholding said means for viewing and said image-acquisition device at a preselected installation location on a surface of the viewing area enclosure with said free end of said means for viewing projecting into the viewing area; and   (d) objective lens orientation means for pivoting said means for viewing and said image-acquisition device from said support means about a pivot point located between said free end of said means for viewing and said   
     
     
        image-acquisition device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 51, wherein said means for viewing comprises an objective lens located at said free end of said means for viewing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. A surveillance device as recited in claim 52, wherein said pivot point of said objective lens orientation means is located on the optical axis of said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. A surveillance device as recited in claim 52, further comprising means for reducing the reflection from said surveillance device of light from said means for viewing, thereby to reduce the ability of an observer in the viewing area to ascertain said predetermined viewing direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. A surveillance device as recited in claim 54, wherein said means for reducing reflection comprises a spherical shield secured about said objective lens in a substantially concentric relationship to said pivot 
     
     
        point of said objective lens orientation means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 51, wherein said objective lens orientation means is disposed substantially wholly outside of the viewing area, and said means for viewing is pivoted by said objective lens orientation means for movement on a tilting axis disposed parallel and proximate to a surface of the viewing area at a preselected installation location for said surveillance device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57. A surveillance device as recited in claim 51, further comprising a video processing device secured to said objective lens orientation means at a position separate from said image-acquisition device, said video processing device being capable of receiving said signals from said image-acquisition 
     
     
        device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.58.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 51, wherein said objective lens orientation means comprises: (a) a turntable rotatably secured to said support means capable of rotation relative thereto about a panning axis;   (b) a remotely controlled panning motor operably connected between said turntable and said support means;   (c) an objective lens support arm projecting from said turntable toward said viewing area, said objective lens being tiltably mounted at the end of said objective lens support arm remote from said turntable for pivotable movement about a tilting axis disposed normal to the optical axis of said objective lens at a point on said optical axis located to the rear of said objective lens; and   (d) a remotely controlled tilting motor operably connected between said   
     
     
        objective lens support arm and said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.59.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receivinq an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined line of vision and converting said image into signals processable into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area;   (d) a turntable rotatably secured to said mounting structure pivotable relative thereto about a panning axis;   (e) a remotely controlled panning motor operably connected between said turntable and said mounting structure;   (f) a cable coupled electrically between said image-acquisition device and the outside of the surveillance device; and   (g) signal transfer means connected to said turntable for preventing undue twisting of said cable during repeated full-circle rotation of said   
     
     
        mounting structure. .Iaddend. .Iadd.60.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 59, wherein said signal transfer means comprises a slip ring interposed in said cable at said turntable, said slip ring being capable of transferring signals between portions of said cable on opposite sides of said slip ring during repeated full-circle rotation of said turntable 
     
     
        without twisting of said cable. .Iaddend. .Iadd.61.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined line of vision and converting said image into signals processable into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area;   (d) a turntable rotatably secured to said mounting structure pivotable relative thereto about a panning axis;   (e) a remotely controlled panning motor operably connected between said turntable and said mounting structure; and   (f) pan parking brake means for fixing the relative position of said turntable and said mounting structure upon de-energization of said panning motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.62. A surveillance device as recited in claim 61, wherein said first parking brake means comprises a power-off brake mechanism cable of being activated coincidentally with the de-energization   
     
     
        of said panning motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.63.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined line of vision and converting said image into signals processable into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area;   (d) an objective lens support arm supported by said mounting structure projecting toward said viewing area; and   (e) a remotely controlled tilting motor operably connected between said objective lens support arm and said objective lens; and   (f) tilt parking brake means for fixing the relative position of said objective lens and said objective lens support arm upon de-energization of said tilting motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.64. A surveillance device as recited in claim 63, wherein said tilt parking brake means comprises a power-off brake mechanism capable of being activated coincidentally with the   
     
     
        de-energization of said tilting motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.65.  A surveillance device for visually monitoring of a viewing area, the viewing area being bounded by a plurality of surfaces defining a viewing area enclosure with a preselected installation location for the surveillance device on one of the surfaces, said surveillance device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined line of vision and converting said image into signals processible into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device;   (d) an objective lens support arm projecting from said mounting structure toward said viewing area, said objective lens being tiltably mounted at the end of said objective lens support arm remote from said mounting structure with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area for pivoting movement about a tilting axis disposed parallel and proximate to a surface of the viewing area enclosure at the preselected installation   
     
     
        location. .Iaddend. .Iadd.66.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 65, wherein said mounting structure and said objective lens support arm are substantially wholly located on the side of the viewing area enclosure 
     
     
        opposite from the viewing area. .Iaddend. .Iadd.67.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 66, further comprising a viewing dome of unusually small and shallow size securable inside the viewing area against the surface of the enclosure covering the viewing aperture, wherein the viewing dome is unusually small when the viewing dome has a diameter of 
     
     
        less than twelve inches. .Iaddend. .Iadd.68.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, the viewing area being bounded by surfaces defining a viewing area enclosure, said surveillance device comprising: (a) means for viewing into the viewing area along a preselected viewing direction and for presenting an image of the viewing area along said preselected viewing direction, said means for viewing having a free end proximate to said viewing area and an objective lens located at said free end thereof;   (b) support means for upholding said means for viewing at a preselected installation location on a surface of the viewing area enclosure with said objective lens projecting into the viewing area; and   (c) objective lens orientation means for pivoting said means for viewing, said support means and said objective lens orientation means being located substantially wholly on the side of the viewing area enclosure opposite   
     
     
        from the viewing area. .Iaddend. .Iadd.69.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined viewing direction and converting said image being signals processible into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supported said objective lens and said image-acquisition device with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area;   (d) a turntable rotatably secured to said mounting structure capable of rotation relative thereto about a panning axis;   (e) a remotely controlled panning motor operably connected between said turntable and said mounting structure;   (f) an objective lens support arm projecting from said turntable toward said viewing area, said objective lens being tiltably mounted at the end of said objective lens support arm remote from said turntable for pivoting movement about a tilting axis disposed normal to the optical axis of said objective lens at a point on said optical axis located to the rear of said objective lens; and   (g) a remotely controlled tilting motor operably connected between said   
     
     
        objective lens support arm and said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.70.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 69, wherein the viewing area is bounded by a plurality of surfaces defining a viewing area enclosure, and wherein said tilting axis is disposed parallel and adjacent to a surface of the viewing area enclosure at a preselected installation location for 
     
     
        said surveillance device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.71.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined viewing direction and converting said image into electrical signals processible into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area, said mounting structure comprising: (i) a platform; and   (ii) means for supporting said platform in a fixed relationship to the viewing area;     (d) a turntable rotatably secured to said platform for rotational movement relative thereto about a pannings axis;   (e) first and second parallel objective lens support arms projecting from said turntable toward said viewing area, each of said support arms having a free end remote from said turntable; and   (f) means for tiltably supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device between said free ends of said first and second support arms for tilting movement about a tilting axis disposed rearwardly   
     
     
        of and adjacent to said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.72.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) a viewing dome of small diameter, wherein the viewing dome has a small diameter when the viewing dome has a diameter of less than twelve inches;   (b) an objective lens;   (c) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined viewing direction and converting said image into electrical signals processible into video signals;   (d) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device with said objective lens protruding into the concavity of said viewing dome, said mounting structure comprising: (i) a platform; and   (ii) means for supporting said platform in a fixed relationship to the viewing area;     (e) a turntable rotatably secured to said platform for rotational movement relative thereto about a panning axis;   (f) first and second parallel objective lens support arms projecting from said turntable toward said viewing area, each of said support arms having a free end remote from said turntable; and   (g) means for tiltably supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device between said free ends of said support arms in   
     
     
        tilting movement about a tilting axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.73.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 72, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point no closer to said image-acquisition device than to said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.74. A surveillance device as recited in claim 72, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point closer to said objective lens than to 
     
     
        said image-acquisition device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.75.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) a viewing dome having a diameter of less than twelve inches;   (b) an objective lens;   (c) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined viewing direction and converting said image into electrical signals processible into video signals;   (d) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device with said objective lens protruding into the concavity of said viewing dome, said mounting structure comprising: (i) a platform; and   (ii) means for supporting said platform in a fixed relationship to the viewing area;     (e) a turntable rotatably secured to said platform for rotational movement relative thereto about a panning axis;   (f) first and second parallel objective lens support arms projecting from said turntable toward said viewing area, each of said support arms having a free end remote from said turntable; and   (g) means for tiltably supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device between said free ends of said support arms in   
     
     
        tilting movement about a tilting axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.76.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 75, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point no closer to said image-acquisition device than to said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.77. A surveillance device as recited in claim 75, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point closer to said objective lens than to 
     
     
        said image-acquisition device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.78.  A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along predetermined viewing direction and converting said image into electrical signals processible into video signals;   (c) a mounting structure supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device with said objective lens protruding into the viewing area said mounting structure comprising: (i) a platform; and     (ii) means for supporting said platform in a fixed relationship to the viewing area;   (d) an objective lens orientation means for pivotally supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device from said platform for pivotable movement about a pivot point located between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point no closer to said image-acquisition device than to said objective lens, said objective lens orientation means comprising: (i) a turntable rotatably secured to said platform for rotational movement relative thereto about a panning axis;   (ii) first and second parallel objective lens support arms projecting from said turntable toward said viewing area, each of said support arms having a free end remote from said turntable; and   (iii) a pair of pivot pins, one of said pivot pins secured to the free end of each of said lens support arms, thereby to tiltably support said objective lens and said image-acquisition device between said free ends of said objective lens support arms for tilting movement about a tilting axis     
     
     
        defined by said pivot pins. .Iaddend. .Iadd.79.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 78, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point closer to said objective lens than to said image-acquisition device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.80. A surveillance device as recited in claim 78, further comprising a signal processing box separated from said image-acquisition device and mounted on said objective lens orientation means, said signal processing box being electrically coupled to said image-acquisition device, thereby to receive 
     
     
        said electrical signals therefrom. .Iaddend. .Iadd.81.  A surveillance device as recited in claim 78, further comprising a slip ring in said turntable, said slip ring being capable of transferring electrical signals between opposite sides of said turntable during repeated full-circle rotation thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.82. A surveillance device for visual monitoring of a viewing area, said surveillance device comprising: (a) an objective lens;   (b) an image-acquisition device optically aligned with said objective lens, said image-acquisition device being capable of receiving an image of the viewing area secured through said objective lens along a predetermined viewing direction and converting said image into electrical signals processible into video signals;   (c) mounting means for supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device with at least said objective lens protruding into the viewing area;   (d) panning means secured to said mounting means for rotating said objective lens about a panning access;   (e) first and second parallel objective lens support arms projecting from said panning means towards said viewing area; and   (f) means for tiltably supporting said objective lens and said image-acquisition device between said support arms for tilting movement about a tilting axis disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point no closer to said image-acquisition device than to said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.83. A surveillance device as recited in claim 82, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point closer to said objective lens than to said image-acquisition device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.84. A surveillance device as recited in claim 51, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point no closer to said image-acquisition device than to said objective lens. .Iaddend. .Iadd.85. A surveillance device as recited in claim 51, wherein said tilting axis is disposed between said objective lens and said image-acquisition device at a point closer to said objective lens than to said image-acquisition device. .Iaddend.