Abstract:
A bubble adapter for installed security cameras, such as Pan/Tilt/Zoom (“PTZ”) security cameras fits over the head of the PTZ camera, and attaches to a mounting region of a base of the security camera via a field-deployable attachment mechanism. The bubble of the bubble adapter protects and conceals the head of the PTZ camera and its components. Using the bubble adapter, service personnel add bubbles to existing PTZ camera installations that are lacking bubbles in the field. This avoids the expense and downtime associated with the current method for adding bubbles to PTZ camera installations lacking bubbles. The current method requires removing the installed PTZ cameras, and replacing them with PTZ cameras having factory-installed bubbles. In addition, the bubble adapter provides an integrated airflow system that allows the security camera to maintain thermal control when the bubble adapter is attached to the security cameras.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/810,322, filed on Apr. 10, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Security cameras, such as pan/tilt/zoom (“PTZ”) video cameras, are an integral part of security solutions for protecting people, premises, and reducing risk. Within a premises or building, business owners install PTZ cameras at egress points, at the point of sale, and in other locations that require monitoring and tracking of people, goods and services. Another common application is at casinos. The PTZ video cameras are used to monitor employees and players. 
         [0003]    PTZ cameras typically include a base region or portion that mounts to a surface such as a wall or ceiling or mounting bracket within the premises. PTZ cameras also mount in a recessed fashion within ceilings similar to recessed lighting. The base of the PTZ cameras typically includes the majority of non-moving components such as electronics and motors for powering and controlling the camera, network and video interfaces, and cooling fans for thermal considerations. 
         [0004]    The PTZ cameras also typically include a head with a panning portion that turns left and right with respect to the base region, and a tilting portion that rotates up and down with respect to the base region. The cameras&#39; optical components are typically housed within the tilting portion. 
         [0005]    Manufacturers of PTZ cameras offer different options that enhance the capabilities and utility of the cameras. The manufacturers require that the customer order some of the options at the time of purchase, and not as an “add-on” option or accessory after purchase and delivery of the PTZ camera. This is because these options require the manufacturers to design and assemble the PTZ cameras and the options in a specific fashion, requiring quality controls and procedures that only the manufacturers provide. The manufacturers require these controls to assure proper operation of the cameras, to address safety and design concerns, and to maintain warranty status. 
         [0006]    One of the options that customers purchase is a dome or bubble that covers the cameras. Bubbles not only provide extra protection of the cameras and lenses, but also conceal the visual behavior of the moving portions of the cameras, and the presence of the camera itself within a room. 
         [0007]    Bubbles for interior PTZ cameras are important in establishments such as casinos. Security personnel at casinos seek to minimize awareness of the cameras by their patrons. Bubbles with a dark or “smoked” appearance also conceal the otherwise visible panning and tilting operations of the cameras, which prevents patrons from seeing the direction the cameras are pointing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Manufacturers of current PTZ cameras offer bubbles as a factory-installed option. The bubbles are a permanent part of the PTZ camera assemblies, and normally cannot be removed. A major reason for this is because PTZ cameras require built-in fans for cooling the cameras, and the bubbles must be designed for and integrated with the cameras&#39; thermal design characteristics. As a result, an attempted retrofit to an existing PTZ camera installation might restrict or compromise the airflow to the camera, causing overheating or damage to the camera and its components. 
         [0009]    This creates a problem for customers with an installed base of PTZ cameras that wish to add a bubble to the cameras. Customers must remove the cameras from the walls and ceilings, and return them to the manufacturer for factory-installed bubble upgrades, or purchase new replacement cameras that include the integrated bubbles. 
         [0010]    Both options are expensive and require significant labor. Moreover, the downtime created by removing and replacing the cameras compromises the security of the premises that the cameras were purchased to protect. 
         [0011]    The invention provides a field-upgradeable bubble adapter for existing indoor PTZ camera installations lacking bubbles. The bubble adapter is secured to a mounting region of the base of the existing PTZ cameras. 
         [0012]    The bubble adapter has airflow characteristics that seamlessly integrate with the airflow design and characteristics of the PTZ cameras. These features enable customers and field service personnel to install the bubble adapters to an in situ PTZ camera installation within the customer premises. 
         [0013]    In addition, the invention provides manufacturers with the ability to sell bubble adapters separately from the security cameras to which they attach. Customers order and attach the bubble adapters to their existing cameras on an “as-needed” basis. This reduces the need for customers to have a priori knowledge of how many cameras, with and without bubbles, are required for a security installation. 
         [0014]    In general, according to one aspect, the invention features a security camera system comprising a Pan/Tilt/Zoom (“PTZ”) head of a security camera, a base of the security camera on which the PTZ head is held, the base comprising a mounting region, and a bubble adapter that fits over the PTZ head. The bubble adapter includes a housing that attaches to the base at the mounting region via a field-deployable attachment mechanism, and a bubble attached to the housing that encloses the PTZ head. 
         [0015]    In one example, the field-deployable attachment mechanism comprises an interference fit system. In a preferred embodiment, the interference fit system comprises spring plungers disposed in pockets within the housing of the bubble adapter, and a detent in the mounting region of the base which accepts the spring plungers. Typically, the pockets within the housing extend radially outward from an inside surface of an outer rim of the housing. 
         [0016]    According to another example, the field-deployable attachment mechanism comprises a set screw system. Using a set screw, an installer tightens the set screw within a set screw hole in the housing to secure the housing to the base of the security camera. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect, the housing includes an air intake channel formed within the housing that includes air intake openings that accept air from outside the housing to enable airflow into the security camera. The air intake channel accepts an air filter placed before the air intake openings. Preferably, the air intake openings of the housing provide the airflow for air inlets of the PTZ head of the security camera for cooling the security camera. 
         [0018]    According to yet another aspect, the base of the security camera includes one or more fans which draw the airflow provided by the air intake openings of the housing into air inlets of the PTZ head of the security camera to cool the security camera, and air exhaust openings which allow the airflow to exit the security camera. 
         [0019]    In another implementation, the housing accepts a trim ring that secures a lip of the bubble to the housing for fastening the bubble to the housing. Preferably, the trim ring fastens the bubble to the housing using an interference fit. In yet another implementation, the housing further comprises a tamper resistant bracket which discourages tampering of the bubble adapter by unauthorized personnel. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the housing comprises a cover ring that mounts to the air intake channel, which conceals the base of the security camera after the housing is attached to the base of the security camera. Preferably, the cover ring includes a safety lanyard that fastens to the base of the security camera, which protects the bubble adapter from dropping during attachment and removal. 
         [0021]    According to yet another aspect, the bubble has a smoked appearance which provides the concealment of the security camera and its components. 
         [0022]    In general, according to another aspect, the invention features a bubble adapter for an installed security camera comprising a housing that attaches to the security camera. The housing includes an airflow system that allows airflow to the security camera for thermal control when the housing is attached to the security camera. In addition, the housing includes a bubble fastened to the housing that encloses at least a head of the security camera for protecting and concealing the security camera. 
         [0023]    According to another aspect, the bubble adapter further comprises an interference fit system for securing the bubble adapter to the security camera. In the preferred embodiment, the interference fit comprises spring plungers disposed in pockets within the housing of the bubble adapter, and a detent in the mounting region of a base of the security camera which accepts the spring plungers. 
         [0024]    According to another embodiment, the bubble adapter comprises a set screw system for securing the bubble adapter to the security camera. 
         [0025]    According to yet another aspect, the housing includes an air intake channel formed within the housing that includes air intake openings that accept air from outside the housing to enable the airflow to the security camera. 
         [0026]    In general, according to yet another aspect, the invention features a method for upgrading an installed security camera in the field to have a bubble. The method comprises placing a bubble adapter over a head of the security camera, pushing the bubble adapter towards a mounting region of a base of the security camera on which the head is held, and attaching the bubble adapter to the base at the mounting region via a field deployable attachment mechanism. 
         [0027]    The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a room with pan/tilt/zoom (“PTZ”) cameras installed with different mounting configurations, wherein the PTZ cameras accept the inventive bubble adapter; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a scale plan view of a PTZ camera that accepts the bubble adapter, according to the invention, and further illustrating the basic portions and movement of the PTZ camera; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a perspective scale view of a preferred embodiment of the bubble adapter; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a scale cross-sectional view of the bubble adapter secured to the PTZ camera showing the airflow through the bubble adapter and PTZ camera assembly for cooling the PTZ camera; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the bubble adapter; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the bubble adapter; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a partially-exploded view of the bubble adapter showing its components; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a partially-exploded view of another embodiment of the bubble adapter showing its components, which includes a cover ring; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the bubble adapter for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  provides a method for installing a bubble adapter to an existing security camera in the field that currently lacks a bubble. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  displays an exemplary room  100  with PTZ cameras  102  installed in different configurations for security monitoring of the room  100  and the individuals  110  in the room  100 . The PTZ cameras  102  are not equipped with factory-installed bubbles  202 . The example room  100  is part of a retail or gaming (casino) establishment where an employee  110 - 3  interacts with customers  110 - 1  and  110 - 2  at a point of sale terminal or game console  112 , in specific examples. 
         [0040]    PTZ cameras  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  are mounted to ceiling  120  above the point of sale terminal or game console  112 . PTZ camera  102 - 3  is mounted to wall  122  via wall bracket  106 . The wall bracket  106  effectively moves the field of view for PTZ camera  102 - 3  beyond objects in the room  100  that would otherwise obstruct the field of view of the PTZ camera  102 - 3 . Objects that obstruct the field of view of the PTZ cameras  102  include furniture such as cabinet  108 . 
         [0041]    Bubble adapters  104  attach to the installed PTZ cameras  102  within the room  100 . The bubble adapters  104  secure to the PTZ cameras  102  as a field-upgradeable solution in the preferred embodiment. 
         [0042]    When field service personnel secure the bubble adapters  104  to the PTZ cameras  102 , there is no need to remove the installed PTZ cameras  102  or adjust their mountings in the illustrated embodiment. In addition, no modifications to the PTZ cameras  102  are required. The bubble adapters  104  utilize a field-deployable attachment mechanism such as an interference fit with the installed PTZ cameras  102 , while also enabling proper airflow and cooling to the PTZ camera  102  and its internal components in the embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows the PTZ camera  102  according to one implementation. The PTZ camera  102  includes a base  512 , a PTZ head  514  that moves about the pan axis  520  of the base  512  according to arrow  560 , and a tilting region  562  that moves with respect to the pan axis  520  according to arrow  562 . The tilting region  516  is included within the PTZ head  514  and moves independently of the PTZ head  514 . 
         [0044]    The camera lens  610  is included within the tilting region  516 , which captures video images of the room  100  and provides the ability to zoom in and out of features of interest within the room  100  in one implementation. As a result, the PTZ camera  102  provides independent panning, zooming, and tilting of the field of view of the PTZ camera  102  in accordance with the security objectives of the operator. 
         [0045]    The base  512  includes power and data cabling interfaces, electronics, fans for cooling, and control systems and motors for controlling the pan, tilt, and zoom features of the PTZ cameras  102 . Field service personnel secure the PTZ cameras  102  to surfaces such as walls  122 , ceilings  120 , or wall brackets  122  via screw holes provided in the underside  564  of the base  512 . The base  512  also includes air exhaust openings  508 , and a mounting region  515 . 
         [0046]    The illustrated PTZ camera  102  requires active cooling throughout its internal components in accordance with thermal design requirements. As a result, the PTZ camera  102  has integrated cooling paths and channels to provide airflow to its internal components. Air enters the PTZ camera  102  through air inlets  510  in the tilting region  516 , from the camera side  566  of the PTZ camera  102 . Cooling fans within the base  512  draw outside air through the air inlets  510 . The air drawn in from the air inlets  510  flows across the internal components of the PTZ camera  102 , cooling the components in the process. The air then exits the PTZ camera  102  via the air exhaust openings  508  of the base  512 . 
         [0047]    The mounting region  515  of the base  512  also includes a recessed channel or detent  604  that encircles the base  512 , orthogonal to the pan axis  520 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  show a perspective scale view of the bubble adapter  104  that shows additional detail of its components. In one embodiment, the bubble adapter  104  has a transparent or translucent bubble  202  that attaches to housing  204 . Spring plungers  232  fastened to pockets  210  within the housing  204  provide an interference fit between the housing  204  and the detent  604  of the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102 . The spring plungers  232  are spring-loaded, and are normally in a fully-released or “at rest” position. 
         [0049]    The pockets  210  are openings in the housing  204  that accept the spring plungers  232 . The pockets  210  extend radially out from the inside of the outer rim  702  of the housing  204 , through an air intake channel  224  of the housing  204 , and to the inner rim  703 . The spring plungers  232  seat within the pockets  210 , such that the surfaces of the spring plungers  232  extend slightly beyond the edge of the inner rim  703  of the housing  204  when the spring plungers  232  are at rest. 
         [0050]    The air intake channel  224  encircles the housing  204 . The air intake channel  204  preferably is recessed with respect to the inner rim  703  and the outer rim  702  of the housing  204 . The air intake channel  224  accepts a replaceable air filter  208  that preferably press-fits within the air intake channel  224 . The air intake channel  224  has  FIG. 6  air intake openings  212  for drawing air into the bubble adapter  104 , and down toward the air inlets  510  of the PTZ camera  102 . The air intake openings  212  cannot be seen in  FIG. 3  because the air filter  208  is installed and blocks the view of the air intake openings  212 . 
         [0051]    The spring plungers  232  secure the bubble adapter  104  to the detent  604  of the PTZ camera  102 . When the installer pushes the bubble adapter  104  down over the PTZ head  514  towards the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102 , the spring plungers  232  initially compress when they come in contact with the base  512 . The spring plungers  232  compress inward towards the outer rim  702  of the housing  204 . 
         [0052]    When the installer continues to push the bubble adapter  104  further onto the mounting region  515  of the base  512 , the spring plungers  232  release their tension when the spring plungers  232  encounter the detent  604  within the mounting region  515 . As a result, the bubble adapter  104  is secured to the PTZ camera  102 . 
         [0053]    The surfaces of the spring plungers  232  are preferably spherical, allowing the spring plungers  232  to “snap” in and out of place within the detent  604  in response to adjustment of the bubble adapter  104  about the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102  by the installer. Because the detent  604  encircles the entirety of the base  512 , the installation of the bubble adapter  104  to the PTZ camera  102  does not require special alignment considerations between the bubble adapter  104  and the PTZ camera  102 . Moreover, once the bubble adapter  104  is installed, the action of the spring plungers  232  allow installers to easily detach and reattach the bubble adapter  104  from the base  512  without the aid of tools, in one example. 
         [0054]    In one implementation, the housing  204  has three spring plungers  232 , the pockets  210  of which are equally spaced apart within the housing  204 . This provides optimal load balancing of the bubble adapter  104  when connected to the PTZ camera  102 . The housing  204  includes a safety lanyard  220  that the installer optionally fastens to the base  512  via a  FIG. 8  thumb screw  804  during the installation of the bubble adapter  104 . 
         [0055]    The safety lanyard  220  prevents the bubble adapter  104  from dropping during installation, which protects the bubble adapter  104  from damage and the installer from potential injury during the installation process. The housing  204  also includes a tamper resistant bracket  222  to discourage patrons and non-security personnel from tampering with the bubble adapter  104 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  displays the airflow  502  through the combined bubble adapter  104  and PTZ camera  102  assembly for cooling the PTZ camera  102 . The base  512  of the PTZ camera  102  is typically mounted to a ceiling  120 . The combined bubble adapter  104  and PTZ camera  102  assembly is shown relative to the plane  513  of the ceiling  120 . The integrated airflow design of the bubble adapter  104  enables cooling of the PTZ camera  102  when the bubble adapter  104  is attached to the PTZ camera  102 . Preferably, the bubble  202  of the bubble adapter  104  attaches to the housing  204  via an interference fit provided by a trim ring  206 . 
         [0057]    Fans within the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102  draw outside air into the PTZ camera  102  via the air intake channel  224  of the housing  204 . The airflow  502  passes through the air filter  208 , and down the  FIG. 6A  air intake openings  212 , which are obscured by the air filter  208  in  FIG. 4 . The airflow  502  is drawn up through the air inlets  510  of the PTZ camera  102 , across the internal components (which are not shown for clarity) of the PTZ camera  102 , and exits out through the air exhaust openings  508  of the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view  530  of the bubble adapter  104  that shows how the bubble  202  fastens to housing  204 . The trim ring  206  slides over the lip  234  of the bubble  202 . The trim ring  206  then fastens to the housing  204 , which secures the lip  234  of the bubble  202  to the housing  204 . To achieve this, the trim ring  206  has integrated tabs  218  that lock into place within tab openings  219  of the housing  204 . This is illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 6B . When the tabs  218  are fully seated within the tab openings  219 , the bubble  202  is secured to the housing  204  of the bubble adapter  104 . 
         [0059]    The cross-sectional view  530  also provides a “head-on” view of spring plunger  232 - 1 , and a side view of spring plunger  232 - 2  through the air intake channel  224 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  shows the top view  400  of the bubble adapter  104 , which is the view when the bubble  202  is closest to the viewer. The air filter  208  is removed in this view to show the air intake openings  212  and the pockets  210  within the air intake channel  224  of the housing  204 . The tabs  218  of the trim ring  206  are shown through the tab openings  219  of the housing  204 . The tab openings  219  in the housing  204  accept the tabs  218  of the trim ring  206 . The trim ring  206  slips around the lip  234  of the bubble  202 . When the tabs  218  of the trim ring  206  are pushed to their full extent into the tab openings  219 , the tabs  218  lock into place within the tab openings  219 . This secures the trim ring  206  to the housing  204 , and therefore, the bubble  202  to the housing  204 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  is a partially-exploded view  700  of the bubble adapter  104 . The trim ring  206  slips over the lip  234  of the bubble  202 . When the tabs  218  of the trim ring  206  are fully seated within the  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  tab openings  219 , the bubble  202  is securely fastened to the housing  204 . 
         [0062]    The partially-exploded view  700  provides more detail of the spring plungers  232  and their pockets  210 , an unobstructed view of the air intake openings  212 , and more detail of the air filter  208 . The air filter  208  has filter sections  226  that preferably press-fit into place within the air intake channel  224 . In one example, the filter sections  226  snugly fit between the spring plungers  232  that protrude through the air intake channel  224 . 
         [0063]    In the preferred embodiment, the bubble  202  has a darkened or “smoked” finish or appearance that hides where the camera lens  610  is pointing. This hides the camera lens  610  from the view of patrons. The finish does not otherwise affect the operation of the PTZ camera  102 . In another example, the bubble  202  has a frosted or milky appearance, as in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0064]    In one example, the bubble  202  is made of glass. In another example, the bubble  202  is made of high-impact plastic. The housing  204  also includes a set screw hole  230  that accepts a set screw  231 . The installer tightens the set screw  231  within the set screw hole  230  until the set screw  231  fastens the housing  204  of the bubble adapter  104  to the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102 . This permanently attaches the bubble adapter  104  to the PTZ camera  102  after the bubble adapter  104  is attached to the PTZ camera  102  via the interference fit provided by the combination of the spring plungers  232  and the detent  604 . 
         [0065]    In yet another example, the bubble adapter  104  is attached to the PTZ camera using only the aforementioned permanent set screw mechanism, by tightening the set screw  231  within the set screw hole  230  until the housing  204  is attached to the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 8  is a partially-exploded view  800  of another embodiment of the bubble adapter  104 . The bubble adapter  104  in  FIG. 8  is nearly identical to the bubble adapter  104  in  FIG. 7 , with  FIG. 8  including an additional cover ring  806  that attaches to the housing  204  via a screw  802 . In general, the cover ring  806  functions as a cosmetic cover which hides the standard black body of the PTZ camera  102  when used with a non-black bubble adapter  104 . The air filter  208  is omitted from  FIG. 8  to permit view of the cover ring  806 . 
         [0067]    Instead of the safety lanyard  220  attaching to the housing  204  as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 , the safety lanyard  220  attaches to the cover ring  806  in  FIG. 8 . The cover ring  806  seats within the air intake channel  224  and is secured to the housing  204  via screw  802 . In one implementation, the screw  802  is made of plastite material. 
         [0068]    Once the bubble adapter  104  is attached to the PTZ camera  102 , the installer attaches the safety lanyard  220  to the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102  via thumbscrew  804 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view  900  of the bubble adapter  104  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . The cross-sectional view  900  is substantially similar to the cross-sectional view  530  in  FIG. 5 , with the main differences being that the tamper resistant bracket  222  is not included in  FIG. 9 , and the safety lanyard  220  attaches to the cover ring  806 . 
         [0070]    The cover ring  806  seats within the air intake channel  224  and is secured to the housing  204  by screw  802 . The included thumbscrew  804  provides for convenient attachment of the safety lanyard  220  to the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102  for added safety during installation of the bubble adapter  104  to the PTZ camera  102 . The tamper resistant bracket  222  discourages tampering of the bubble adapter  104  once attached to the PTZ camera  102 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 10  presents a method for attaching a bubble adapter  104  to an installed PTZ camera  102  in the field, such as a PTZ camera  102  mounted in a ceiling  120 . In step  1002 , an installer places the bubble adapter  104  over the head  514  of an installed security camera  102  in the field which currently lacks a bubble  202 . Then, according to step  1004 , the installer attaches the safety lanyard  220  of the cover ring  806  of the bubble adapter  104  to the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102  with a thumbscrew  804  to prevent the bubble adapter  104  from dropping during the installation. 
         [0072]    The installer then pushes the bubble adapter  104  towards the mounting region  515  of the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102 , until the spring plungers  232  within the housing  204  of the bubble adapter  104  deploy within the detent  604  of the base  512  of the security camera  102 , according to step  1006 . 
         [0073]    Then, according to step  1008 , the installer tightens a set screw  231  within the set screw hole  230  of the housing  204  to permanently secure the bubble adapter  104  to the base  512  of the PTZ camera  102 . 
         [0074]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.