Camera with infrared module

A camera includes an optical camera housing, and a platform disposed at least partially within the optical camera housing. The platform is configured to be pan-rotated about a first axis relative to the optical camera housing. The platform includes a first component configured to be coupled to a camera lens, and a second component having a mount configured to be fixed to an infrared module. The camera also includes a camera lens coupled to the first component of the platform. The camera lens is configured to tilt relative to the platform about a second axis different from the first axis. The camera also includes an infrared module fixed to the mount.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras often use infrared light to provide night-time illumination and vision. The closed circuit television cameras include a plurality of infrared modules that are fixed in place, and are positioned around the camera to provide the infrared light for different panning angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, closed circuit television cameras often use a plurality of fixed infrared modules spaced around the camera to provide infrared light. However, using a plurality of infrared modules around the camera is costly, consumes a high amount of power, and otherwise adds complexity to the camera. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved camera that provides, among other things, a reduced number of infrared modules.

Briefly, there is provided herein an improved camera. The camera, according to one embodiment, includes an optical camera housing, and a platform disposed at least partially within the optical camera housing. The platform is configured to be pan-rotated about a first axis relative to the optical camera housing. The platform includes a first component configured to be coupled to a camera lens, and a second component having a mount configured to be fixed to an infrared module. The camera also includes a camera lens coupled to the first component of the platform. The camera lens is configured to tilt relative to the platform about a second axis different from the first axis. The camera also includes an infrared module fixed to the mount.

FIG. 1illustrates a camera10. Some embodiments of the camera10include features that particularly are useful for closed circuit television implementations. However, the camera10may be used for other monitoring or image-capturing purposes. For example, the camera10may be used to monitor the exterior of a building, the interior of a building, an environment away from a building, and the like. Additionally, in some embodiments the camera10may be a public use camera, and may transmit signals which are publicly, rather than privately, distributed.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the camera10includes an optical camera housing14. The optical camera housing14includes a body18having a first end22and a second end26spaced apart from the first end22along a first axis30. In the illustrated embodiment, the body18is tapered along the first axis30, such that the second end26has a larger diameter than the first end22. Other embodiments include different shapes for a body18than that illustrated.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, the first end22defines an opening34. The optical camera housing14includes a first window38that is coupled to the first end22of the body18and extends away from the opening34along the first axis30. The first window38is transparent, and has a dome shape. Other embodiments include a first window38having a different shape and/or orientation than that illustrated, as well as a different location for the first window38than that illustrated.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the optical camera housing14also includes a second window42spaced apart from the first window38. The second window42extends circumferentially at least partially (for example up to and including 360 degrees) around the body18of the optical camera housing14. The second window42is transparent, and is inclined at an oblique angle relative to the first axis30due to the tapered shape of the body18. Other embodiments include a second window42having a different shape and/or orientation than that illustrated, as well as a different location for the second window42than that illustrated.

With reference toFIGS. 1-3, the camera10includes a platform46that pan-rotates relative to the optical camera housing14about the first axis30. The platform46is disposed at least partially within the optical camera housing14, and is coupled to a motor48(for example an electric motor, illustrated schematically inFIG. 2) that is used to cause the pan-rotation. The motor48may be located for example within the optical camera housing14or may be positioned outside of the optical camera housing14.

In some embodiments, the platform46may be rotated continuously in one direction about the first axis30. In other embodiments, the platform46may be rotated in a first direction about the first axis30and may also be reversed to rotate in an opposite direction about the first axis30. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the platform46includes a first component50and a second component54that is coupled (for example integrally formed as a single piece with) the first component50. The second component54includes a mount58.

With reference toFIGS. 1-3, the camera10includes a camera lens62that is coupled to the first component50. In the illustrated embodiment the first component50includes a U-shaped, curved wall66that defines an interior space70(FIG. 3) sized and shaped to receive a portion of the camera lens62. In an assembled state (FIG. 2), the camera lens62includes a spherical portion74that is disposed (for example nested) at least partially within the interior space70.

With continued reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the camera lens62tilts within the interior space70about a second axis78. In the illustrated embodiment the U-shaped, curved wall66defines an opening82(a portion of which extends along a direction that is parallel to the first axis30). The spherical portion74of the camera lens62is nested within the interior space70(for example such that the spherical portion74is free to rotate within the interior space70), whereas another, leading portion86of the camera lens62is disposed outside of the opening82. The leading portion86is wider than the opening82, limiting movement of the camera lens62about the second axis78as the camera lens62is tilted and the spherical portion74rotates. Other embodiments do not include the opening82, and/or have a wall66that includes a different shape than that illustrated. Additionally, in other embodiments the camera lens62is pivotally coupled to the first component50with trunnions, with a pin or pins, or via other structures. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the camera10may include a motor90(for example a motor separate from the motor48, as illustrated schematically inFIG. 2) to tilt the camera lens62about the second axis78and to position the camera lens62relative to the second axis78. In other embodiments the camera lens62may be tilted manually and/or may be mechanically locked into different tilt positions relative to the second axis78.

With continued reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the second component54of the platform46includes a base structure94that extends circumferentially around the first component50. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the first component50of the platform46extends axially away from the base structure94along the first axis30, and the mount58of the second component54extends radially away from the base structure94. When fully assembled (FIG. 1), the mount58remains radially inward of the second window42. The base structure94has a ring shape, although other embodiments include different shapes than that illustrated.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2-4, the camera10includes an infrared module98that is fixed to the mount58. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount58includes a planar surface102(FIG. 3) having apertures106(for example, threaded apertures). The infrared module98is fixed to this planar surface102via fasteners110that extend at least partially through the infrared module98and into the apertures106. In other embodiments, the number and arrangement of apertures106and fasteners110is different than that illustrated. In some embodiments, the infrared module98is fixed to the mount58via adhesive, clips, or structures other than the fasteners110. Additionally, in other embodiments the mount58has a different shape or size than that illustrated, and/or has a different (for example non-planar) surface to which the infrared module98is fixed.

With reference toFIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment a third axis114passes through the infrared module98and the mount58and extends perpendicular to the planar surface102of the mount58. The third axis114is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the first axis30(for example, between 40 and 50 degrees, between 30 and 60 degrees, or other values and ranges). As illustrated inFIG. 2, both the second axis78and the third axis114each intersect the first axis30, and the second axis78is perpendicular to the first axis30. In other embodiments the second axis78may extend at an oblique angle relative to the first axis30, and/or the second axis78and/or third axis114may not intersect the first axis30.

With reference toFIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment the infrared module98includes a heat sink118, a printed circuit board assembly122, a gasket126, and a light guide130. The heat sink118is disposed between the mount58and the printed circuit board assembly122, and the printed circuit board assembly122is disposed between the heat sink118and the light guide130. Other embodiments include different numbers, types, and arrangements of components for the infrared module98than that illustrated. For example, in some embodiments the infrared module98does not include a heat sink118and/or gasket126.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 4A-D, the infrared module98is the only infrared module98coupled to the platform46. As the platform46is pan-rotated about the first axis30, the single infrared module98rotates with the platform46about the first axis30and remains fixed relative to the platform46.FIGS. 4A-Dillustrates various panning angles as the platform46is rotated 360 degrees about the first axis360. The panning angles are 90 degrees apart. In the illustrated embodiment, the infrared module98is positioned adjacent the opening82on the platform46, such that the infrared module98always remains adjacent the opening82as the platform46is rotated about the first axis30. In other embodiments the single infrared module98may be positioned at a different location along the platform46than that illustrated. Additionally, and as noted above, the camera lens62may separately tilt about the second axis78. The tilting of the camera lens62about the second axis78is independent of the position of the platform46and of the single infrared module98that is fixed to the platform46.

During use of the camera10, the camera lens62receives light through the first window38, and the infrared module98emits infrared light out of the second window42. For example, and with reference toFIG. 5. the infrared module98emits a cone134of infrared light through the second window42and away from the first axis30. The cone134is defined by a central cone axis138. The central cone axis138extends at an oblique angle relative to the first axis30(for example between 40 and 50 degrees, between 30 and 60 degrees, or other values and ranges). In some embodiments, the central cone axis138is identical to the third axis114described above.

By using only a single infrared module98that rotates with the platform46(as opposed to using a plurality of fixed infrared modules), the infrared module98may be used for all panning angles of the camera10. The camera10may thus be less costly, consume a lower amount of power, and/or otherwise have less complexity than traditional cameras described above that require multiple infrared modules.