Abstract:
The present invention is a protective rotatable enclosure for the sensitive internal electrical and mechanical components of a surveillance camera scanner system that is particularly suited for deployment in an inverted position. The invention includes a sloped mounting base with an optional annular lip, a stepped relationship between the mounting base and the rotary spindle, and at least one O-ring seal. The invention also has the ability to set and adjust the limits of the scanning arc(s) of the scanner enclosure through the use of one or more fixed-position magnetically operable electronic sensors located inside the enclosure which are triggered by one or more external magnetic actuators adjustably deployed on the rotatable enclosure.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/245,463 filed on Nov. 3, 2000, and provisional application Ser. No. 60/308,552 filed on Jul. 27, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention.  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to surveillance camera systems, and more particularly to a rotary scanner for a surveillance camera for outdoor use that has water-resistant features to prevent rainwater and other moisture from entering the internal mechanics of the scanner, and which includes one or more magnetically operable positioning stops for setting the limits of the camera scan.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art.  
           [0005]    In the field of surveillance cameras, it is often desirable for the camera to be deployed with a housing that is mounted outdoors where it is exposed to changes in climate. It is also desirable for the camera housing to be mounted on a base that is part of an oscillating mechanical rotary unit that allows the camera to scan a particular area. Such rotary scanning units are typically mounted on top of a structure such as a protruding beam or a pole, but are also frequently mounted in an inverted position such as underneath a beam, as a dangling pendant, on a ceiling, and the like. When mounted on top of a structure, the camera housing tends to act as a shield, deflecting precipitation such as rain and snow away from the base. However, when mounted in an inverted position (such as underneath a ceiling or soffit), the underside of the housing and mounting base may be directly exposed to these elements. Over time, such exposure can result in rust and damage to mechanical parts, and, if the housing is penetrated, potential corrosion and damage to the camera and sensitive internal printed circuit boards.  
           [0006]    It is therefore desirable to provide a housing and base assembly for a surveillance camera that is resistant to water and moisture penetration, especially when mounted in an inverted position, to provide protection for the internal electrical and mechanical components from exposure to precipitation, moisture and other external foreign contaminants.  
           [0007]    Oscillating mechanical rotary bases are well known in the art, and have been used on surveillance cameras, household fans, and other devices for many years, allowing such devices to oscillate back and forth between defined limits. Such bases allow a surveillance camera to scan an area between the limits, instead of having a stationary view from being constantly pointed in the same direction. It is often desirable to be able to easily adjust the positions of the end limits or stops of the oscillation area in order to increase or decrease the size of the area to be scanned.  
           [0008]    Existing scanning bases for surveillance cameras utilize one or physical switches inside the camera housing on the rotating part that are associated with adjustable mechanical stops on the stationary base which set the limits of the scan. The mechanical toggle lever of each switch extends out and away from the camera enclosure through a hole in the enclosure. When the rotating part approaches one of the stops, the toggle lever of the switch makes contact with the stop. As rotation continues, the lever is moved, toggling the switch. Circuitry inside the enclosure recognizes the toggle, and reverses the direction of the drive motor thereby reversing the direction of rotation. This rotation continues until the toggle lever encounters another stop, at which point the stop again physically moves the lever, toggling the switch and reversing the direction of rotation. This back and forth rotation continues between the stops. The positions of the stops establish the beginning and ending points of the scanning arc (i.e. the length of the arc of rotation).  
           [0009]    Unfortunately, the opening(s) in the camera enclosure required by the mechanical toggle lever of the switch(es) expose the internal circuitry to the outside atmosphere, and particularly to foreign material such as moisture and dust. Over time, exposure to such foreign material can and often does result in corrosion of the sensitive printed circuit boards, as well as rust and damage to other internal electrical and/or mechanical parts. In addition, over time, the switch lever(s) and contacts tend to wear out as a result of the constant back and forth physical contact of the switch lever(s) and the stop(s). These kinds of continuing failures result in the need to regularly repair or replace significant parts of the rotatable base and/or camera electronics.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,609 discloses a television surveillance camera system that employs a magnet attached to the camera and a set of magnetically sensitive position sensors deployed in fixed positions below the rotational arc of the camera for monitoring and changing the direction of rotation of the camera. However, the position sensors of this invention are fixed, making it impossible to alter the length(s) of the arc(s) of rotation of the camera, or for the camera to rotate through a full 360° or more.  
           [0011]    It is therefore desirable to provide a rotary base for a surveillance camera that provides a flexible and adjustable scanning range through a full 360° or more, while also providing protection for the internal electrical and mechanical components from exposure to outside foreign contaminants.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention provides a protective rotatable enclosure for the sensitive internal electrical and mechanical components of a surveillance camera scanner system particularly when deployed in an inverted position together with the ability to set and adjust the limits of the scanning arc(s) of the enclosure (and hence, the surveillance camera mounted thereon) using a series of features including a sloped mounting base with an optional annular lip, a stepped relationship between the mounting base and the rotary spindle, at least one O-ring seal, and the use of one or more fixed-position magnetically responsive electronic sensors located inside the enclosure which are triggered by one or more external magnetic actuators adjustably deployed on the rotatable enclosure.  
           [0013]    The present invention prevents foreign material from entering at the interface between the fixed spindle and the rotatable housing of the camera mounting assembly. The horizontal annular edge of the rotatable housing base of the present invention is sloped toward the outside in order that, when inverted, water, fluids, dust, debris and foreign matter will tend to roll off the housing base instead of seeping inside. An optional vertically oriented annular lip may be provided near the inside edge of the sloped region to further prevent such materials from reaching the inside. Additionally, at least one annular O-ring is provided between the fixed spindle and the rotatable housing base in order to seal the interface between these two parts, further preventing outside contaminants from entering the interior where they could cause premature wear and potential mechanical failures. The O-ring seal is oriented such that it is not in direct communication with the gap between the base and spindle such that it does not make direct contact with fluids from the outside, preventing the seal from being broken or dislodged. The combination of the slope, lip and seal of the present invention is capable of withstanding a sustained force of 65 gallons per minute without allowing penetration to the inside.  
           [0014]    The present invention also allows considerable adjustability and flexibility with respect to establishing and changing the scanning arc(s) through which the enclosure rotates, while keeping the sensitive internal components shielded from outside contaminants. One or more magnetically sensitive contacts as well as other sensitive components are provided at fixed locations inside the enclosure that rotates around them. This provides the dual function of protecting these sensitive electronic components from the outside, while at the same time allowing the enclosure&#39;s arc(s) of rotation to be adjusted from the outside. Establishing and changing the limits of the arc(s) of rotation is accomplished using one or more durable magnetic actuators that are adjustably deployed on an external annular plate that is part of the base of the rotatable enclosure. These actuators may be moved to different locations on an annular track provided on the plate. As rotation occurs, each magnetic actuators is brought into conductive proximity of each magnetically responsive sensor inside the enclosure once per rotation. Each time this occurs, a signal is sent by the affected sensor to an internal microprocessor. The microprocessor can be programmed to selectively respond to the signals it receives from the sensors to change the direction of rotation, or to selectively ignore the signals to allow rotation to continue.  
           [0015]    By programming different responses or patterns of responses to these signals, a wide range of rotational possibilities are available. Different modes of programming may also be implemented to change the pattern(s) of rotational arc(s). The rotational arc(s) may also be affected by changing the physical location of the actuators on the track. Thus, through a combination of physical and programming adjustments, virtually any desired rotational pattern may be established. Since magnetically responsive sensors are used, there is no physical contact between the actuators and the sensors, allowing the sensors to be physically separated from the actuators and enclosed inside the rotatable housing.  
           [0016]    The speed of rotation may also be selected manually using a speed selection switch. Typical speeds for the stepper motors used in surveillance camera systems of this type range from 3 to 12 degrees of rotation per second. The present invention has a 3 position manual switch capable of selecting either 3°, 6° or 12°.  
           [0017]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to prevent premature wear and potential mechanical failures by providing a rotatable protective surveillance camera support housing for covering sensitive electronic scanning equipment that is attached to a stationary base that prevents outside contaminants from reaching the inside, particularly when mounted in an inverted position.  
           [0018]    It is also a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for easily adjusting the rotational scanning arc(s) of a rotatable surveillance camera support housing while protecting the sensitive electronic scanning equipment inside the housing from outside contaminants.  
           [0019]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a protective enclosure for holding sensitive electronic surveillance camera scanning equipment having an annular edge that is sloped toward the outside in order that, when inverted, water, fluids, dust, debris and other foreign matter will tend to roll off the enclosure instead of seeping inside.  
           [0020]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a protective enclosure for holding sensitive electronic surveillance camera scanning equipment having a vertically oriented annular lip provided near the inside edge of the sloped region to further prevent outside contaminants from reaching the inside.  
           [0021]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a protective enclosure for holding sensitive electronic surveillance camera scanning equipment having one or more annular O-rings provided between a fixed spindle and the rotatable enclosure in order to seal the interface between these two parts, further preventing outside contaminants from entering the interior where they could cause premature wear and potential mechanical failures.  
           [0022]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for easily adjusting the rotational scanning arc(s) of a rotatable surveillance camera support housing using one or more magnetically sensitive contacts deployed inside the housing instead of on the outside, serving the dual function of protecting sensitive interior electronic components from the outside, while at the same time allowing the housing&#39;s arc(s) of rotation to be adjusted from the outside.  
           [0023]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for easily adjusting the rotational scanning arc(s) and limits of a rotatable surveillance camera support housing by using one or more durable magnetic actuators that are adjustably deployed on an external annular plate that is part of the rotatable camera support housing base, such that the internal magnetically sensitive contacts are activated through the wall of the housing by the magnetic actuators as they rotate into the conductive proximity of the sensors.  
           [0024]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for easily adjusting the rotational scanning arc(s) of a rotatable surveillance camera support housing having one or more internal magnetically sensitive contacts and one or more adjustable external magnetic actuators and an internal microprocessor that may be programmed to selectively respond to the signals it receives from the contacts to either change the direction of rotation, or to selectively ignore the signals to allow rotation to continue.  
           [0025]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for easily adjusting the rotational scanning arc(s) of a rotatable surveillance camera support housing using a programmable microprocessor that selectively responds to signals from internal magnetically sensitive contacts as they are activated by external magnetic actuators in conjunction with physically adjusting the position(s) of the actuator(s) on an external track.  
           [0026]    It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for manually adjusting the speed of rotation of a rotatable surveillance camera support housing.  
           [0027]    Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective exterior view of one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is an inverted sectional side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional side view of a portion of FIG. 3.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional side view of a different portion of FIG. 3.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5A is an alternative embodiment of the invention of FIG. 5.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the internal scanning mechanism of the present invention without the outer housing.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 6.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of FIG. 6.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the support base showing magnetic positioning stops.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line  10 - 10  of FIG. 2.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a magnetic positioning stop.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 12 is a sectional view along line ( 12 - 12 ) of FIG. 11.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a magnetic positioning stop.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 14 is a schematic of the circuitry for the scanner of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]    Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 6, it is seen that the rotary scanner of the present invention includes a stationary section and a rotatable section. The stationary section includes a base  11  for attachment to a flat surface such as a wall, ceiling, soffit or shelf; a spindle  12  fixedly attached to mounting plate  11 ; and a set of electronic components fixedly attached to spindle  12 . The proximal end of spindle  12  is attached to base  11  and the distal end supports the internal components. The rotatable section includes a support base  18  that fits over spindle  12 , and a housing  17  that is fixedly attached to base  18 . Rotatable housing  17  covers the motor, gears, microprocessor, magnetically responsive sensors, and other mechanical and electronic parts that allow the rotatable section to rotate relative to the stationary section. A camera is mounted on table  13  on the exterior of housing  17 .  
         [0044]    The path of rotation is shown by arrows  9  in FIG. 7. The gears, mechanics, wiring and contacts between the stationary section and rotatable section allow the rotatable section to rotate continuously in either direction, clockwise or counterclockwise. Thus, if no stops are provided, it is capable of rotating around and around in either direction indefinitely.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, a plurality of steps  19  are provided on spindle  12  which correspond to steps  21  on rotatable base  18  (see detail FIG. 5). At least one bearing  23  is provided between spindle  12  and base  18 . At least one deformable annular seal  20  is provided in the gap between the steps  19  of spindle  12  and the corresponding steps  21  on base  18 . The body of seal  20  fits into one of the steps  19  of spindle  12 , and includes a deformable annular flange  22  which extends out to seal against a corresponding step  21  on base  18 . The seal prevents water, moisture, dust and other contaminants from reaching bearings  23  or from penetrating further and potentially reaching the internal components inside housing  17 , particularly when inverted as shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0046]    As an additional water-resisting feature, the outer bottom surface  25  of base  18  is radially sloped away from the center such that any precipitation that falls upon this surface is directed by gravity to the outside and away from the central workings of the scanner. As a further water-resisting feature, an overlapping annular flange  24  is provided at the intersection of base  18  and housing  17 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The radial slope of annular surface  25  combined with the overlapping annular flange  24  help direct precipitation out and away from the center of the scanner.  
         [0047]    In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, an additional annular ridge or lip  26  is provided at the center of the radially sloping surface  25  of base  18  in the area immediately adjacent to spindle  12 . Lip  26  acts as a barrier preventing precipitation falling onto surface  25  from entering the internal central area of the scanner. The lip  26  is useful in deployments where wind or other environmental conditions might overcome the gravitational slope of surface  25  and blow precipitation, dust and other contaminants into the central area of the scanner.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIGS.  6 - 12 , it is seen that one or more limit devices or stops  31  are provided for adjustable attachment to annular plate  15  of base  18 . Each stop  31  includes a detachable attachment device, clamp or thumbscrew  32  for fixing the position of the stop  31  on an annular track on plate  15 , preferably using an annular groove  30 . Stop  31  is magnetized. Alternatively, at least the upper portion  25  of stop  31  is magnetized. This may be done, as illustrated in FIG. 12, using a magnet  35  that is held in place using a screw  36  or other attachment device. A captive screw  39  is also provided on stop  31  alongside thumbscrew  32  for engagement with groove  30  on plate  15 . Captive screw  39  may be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to thumbscrew  32  for setting the position of stop  31 . Captive screw  39  may be partially threaded into groove  30  allowing stop  31  to slide in the groove, but preventing stop  31  from falling off or being removed from groove  30 . Thumbscrew  32  is then used to fix the position of stop  31 . Alternatively, thumbscrew  32  may be eliminated and the position of stop  31  fixed by fully threading captive screw  39  into groove  30 . This makes it more difficult to change the position of stop  31 , discouraging unauthorized users from making such position changes.  
         [0049]    The stationary mechanical and electronic components inside housing  17  include a reversible motor  51  (preferably a stepper motor) to impart rotational motion to base  18  relative to spindle  12 . A micro-controller or processing unit  33  is also provided inside housing  17  for controlling such things as the speed and direction of motor  51 , among other things. One or more magnetically responsive sensors  29  are also provided inside housing  17  in communication with microprocessor  33 . The motor  51 , microprocessor  33 , and sensors  29  are all attached to spindle  12  such that their positions do not change as base  18  and housing  17  rotate around them.  
         [0050]    The operation of motor  51  causes base  18  to rotate relative to stationary spindle  12 . The magnetically sensitive contacts  29  are provided inside housing  17  near its perimeter. Each sensor or contact  29  is positioned such that as motor  51  rotates base  18 , each actuator or stop  31  attached to plate  15  travels on a circular path or track that passes directly under each sensor  29 . This path is shown by the circular phantom line  46  of FIG. 7. Each contact  29  is mounted such that its magnetically sensitive region comes into conductive relationship with the magnetic portion  35  of each stop  31  once along circular path  46 . When such a conductive relationship is reached, sensor  29  sends a signal to the processing unit  33 . Upon receipt of the signal, processing unit  33  may reverse the direction of rotation of motor  51 , reversing the direction of movement of base  18 . This reversal in direction will eventually bring contact  29  again into conductive relationship with stop  31  whereupon a signal is again sent to processing unit  33  which may again result in the reversal of direction of motor  51  and base  18 .  
         [0051]    The magnetically triggered limits of the present invention allow for complete encapsulation of the sensitive circuitry and mechanics of the rotatable mount, while maintaining all of the flexibility of adjustment of existing mounts. The encapsulation of the sensitive internal components of the mount protects them against failure from exposure to corrosive moisture and other external elements, prolonging the useful life of these components.  
         [0052]    In a simple embodiment, a single contact  29  and a single stop  31  is provided, and the processor  33  is programmed to interpret every signal from contact  29  (each time it encounters stop  31 ) as “change direction.” As a result, in this embodiment rotatable base  18  will travel back and forth through a full 360° circle, reversing direction each time. If a second stop  31  is provided in this embodiment, then base  18  will rotate back and forth on an arcuate path of less than 360° between the two stops  31 . Thus, if the stops are 50° apart, base  18  will travel on an arc of either 50° or 310° between the two stops, depending upon where contact  29  was at the beginning of movement.  
         [0053]    In another embodiment, two contacts  29   a  and  29   b  may be provided with a single stop or actuator  31 . Depending upon the programming of the processing unit  33 , the signal from each of such contacts  29   a  or  29   b  may result in a reversal of direction of motor  51  and base  18 . In this embodiment, if every signal from contact  29   a  or  29   b  is interpreted to mean “change direction,” and the contacts are 20° apart, and then base  18  will rotate back and forth through a 340° arc. Alternatively, if the first signal from either contact  29   a  or  29   b  is interpreted as “get ready” and the second signal is interpreted as “change direction,” and the contacts are 20° apart, then base  18  will rotate back and forth through a 380° arc. However, the positions of the contacts  29   a  and  29   b  inside housing  17  are generally fixed. Thus, in order to adjust the arc of rotation, at least one additional stop or actuator  31  is required.  
         [0054]    In the preferred embodiment, two magnetically sensitive contacts  29   a  and  29   b  are provided with at least two actuators or stops  31   a  and  31   b  as illustrated in FIG. 7. The presence of two contacts  29   a  and  29   b  makes it possible to rotate base  18  through an arc of more or less than 360° depending upon the programming of unit  33  as described in the previous embodiment. The presence of an additional stop  31   b  provides additional flexibility with respect to the size of the arc(s) of rotation through which base  18  travels. Depending upon the programming, and the variable positioning of stops  31   a  and  31   b  with respect to each other, this may be any of several different arcs of more or less than 360°. In particular, the processor may be programmed to ignore certain signals (every other signal, two out of every three signals, etc.) and change direction on other signals. Different processor modes may also be provided, thereby changing the processor&#39;s response to signals after a given period of time or a given number of signals/rotations (e.g. once every hour, ignore all signals and rotate through a full 360°; or, continuously changing the pattern of responses to signals (thereby changing the arcs of rotation) at given time intervals (or after a certain number of signals) to change the scope of the scan).  
         [0055]    For example, in the preferred embodiment having two contacts  29   a  and  29   b  and two actuators or stops  31   a  and  31   b,  the processor  33  may be programmed to interpret the first signal from contact  29   a  as “get ready” and the second signal form contact  29   a  as “change direction.” Similarly, when traveling in the opposite direction, the processor  33  may interpret the first signal from contact  29   b  as “get ready” and the second signal as “change direction.” Using FIG. 7, if angle A between contacts  29   a  and  29   b  is 20°, and angle B between stops  31   a  and  31   b  is 60°, when traveling clockwise stop  31   b  will first encounter contact  29   a  resulting in a “get ready” signal. When stop  31   a  encounters contact  29   a  (assuming contact  29   b  ignores stop  31   b  as it passes by), the above programming will result in a reversal of direction to counterclockwise. After 340° (assuming stop  31   b  is again ignored as it passes by contacts  29   b  and  29   a ), stop  31   a  will be encountered by contact  29   b  which is the “get ready” signal. Then, after another 60° (assuming contact  29   a  ignores stop  31   a  as it passes by), stop  31   b  will be encountered by contact  29   b  resulting in a reversal of direction. Thus, an overlapping 400° of rotation will occur.  
         [0056]    It will be appreciated from the above example that the microprocessor  33  may be selectively programmed to ignore or not to ignore signals from contacts  29   a  and  29   b  as stops  31   a  and  31   b  are encountered (e.g. respond differently to signals or patterns of signals from contacts  29   a  and  29   b ), such that different arcs or patterns of arcs may be established for scanning. It will also be appreciated that the lengths of these arcs may be changed by physically changing the position of stops  31   a  and  31   b  on the track of plate  15  in conjunction with or separate from any change in programming. Employment of additional stops ( 31   c,    31   d,  etc.) will allow additional flexibility of programming, arc patterns and arc lengths. The programming mode may also be automatically changed on a periodic or random basis to respond differently to the signals, thereby defining different arcs or patterns of arcs at different times. By using techniques such as these, any desired limit of more or less than 360°, can be achieved at any desired time.  
         [0057]    It is to be appreciated that a plurality of additional stops  31  and/or additional contacts  29  may be provided to allow for any desired combination of arcs of rotation and direction.  
         [0058]    By properly positioning, programming and combining the stops  31  and contacts  29  of the present invention, a wide range of scanning options are available.  
         [0059]    It is to be understood that variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.