Abstract:
An automated camera assembly comprising a camera and a detector for triggering the camera, wherein the detector includes an adjustable field of view. The detector can include a sensor and a curtain for reducing a maximum field of view to an adjusted field of view. The curtain can include an opaque member movable relative to the sensor. The curtain can instead include a processor programmed to trigger the camera when the subject is within the adjusted field of view. The invention is also embodied in a method of adjusting a field of view of a detector. The method comprises detecting a first subject within a maximum field of view, triggering the camera after detecting the first subject within the maximum field of view, adjusting to an adjusted field of view, detecting a second subject within the adjusted field of view, and triggering the camera after detecting the second subject.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to trail cameras and, more specifically, to trail cameras having detectors for determining when to take a picture or video. 
     Trail cameras (commonly called “trail cams”) are used to take pictures or videos of certain subjects, such as wildlife. In order to trigger the camera (e.g., take a picture or start a video), trail cams typically include a detector that detects that a subject is within view of the camera. The detector can detect a variety of variables, such as sound, opacity, geomagnetism, reflection of transmitted energy, electromagnetic induction, and vibration. Most trail cams used today utilize an infrared (“IR”) detector for triggering the camera. 
     On an IR trail cam, the IR detector is positioned to receive radiation from the direction that the camera is pointing. A lens (e.g., a Fresnel lens) can be positioned in front of the IR detector to gather IR radiation and define a field of view. The detector will trigger the camera when a subject is detected in the detector&#39;s field of view. Typically, the detector&#39;s field of view is the same as the camera&#39;s field of vision so that an object sensed by the IR detector is within the field of vision of the camera. When the IR detector senses a change in the IR radiation within the field of view, it sends a signal to activate the camera. 
     Because the detector&#39;s field of view is the same as the camera&#39;s field of vision, pictures taken with the above system commonly result in the subject (i.e., the object emitting IR radiation) being positioned on the edge of the picture. In order to solve this problem, some cameras design the detector&#39;s field of view to be narrower and centered with respect to the camera&#39;s field of view. The result is that the detector does not trigger the camera until the subject is more centered within the camera&#39;s field of vision. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides an automated camera assembly comprising a camera (e.g., a digital camera) and a detector (e.g., a passive IR sensor) for detecting a subject and triggering the camera, wherein the detector includes an adjustable field of view. In one embodiment, the detector includes a sensor having a maximum field of view and a curtain for reducing the maximum field of view to an adjusted field of view. For example, the curtain can include an opaque member movable (e.g., linear, pivotal, rotational, etc.) relative to the sensor. Preferably, the curtain comprises two opaque members (e.g., couple to each other) movable relative to the sensor and positionable on substantially opposing sides of the sensor to block a portion of the maximum field of view. As another example, the curtain can include a processor that receives information from the sensor (e.g., a digital pixel array) regarding the position of the subject within the maximum field of view, and the processor is programmed to trigger the camera when the subject is within the adjusted field of view that is narrower than the maximum field of view. 
     The invention is also embodied in a method of adjusting a field of view of a detector on an automated camera assembly having a camera and a detector. The method comprises detecting a first subject within a maximum field of view of the detector, triggering the camera after detecting the first subject within the maximum field of view, adjusting the maximum field of view of the detector to an adjusted field of view of the detector, detecting a second subject within the adjusted field of view, and triggering the camera after detecting the second subject within the adjusted field of view. In one embodiment, adjusting the maximum field of view includes moving (e.g., sliding, pivoting, rotating, etc.) an opaque member in front of a sensor (e.g., two opaque members on opposing sides of the sensor). In another embodiment, the automated camera assembly further includes a processor that receives information from the detector regarding the position of the subject within the maximum field of view and triggers the camera when the subject is within an adjusted field of view less than the maximum field of view. In this embodiment, adjusting includes modifying the adjusted field of view. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a camera assembly embodying the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the camera assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating a housing and a detector having a curtain in a first position. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the camera assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating a portion of the housing and the curtain. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the camera assembly of  FIG. 2  illustrating the curtain in a second position. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention including a different curtain shown in a first position. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the camera assembly of  FIG. 5  illustrating the curtain in a second position. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention including a different curtain shown in a first position. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the camera assembly of  FIG. 7  illustrating the curtain in a second position. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention including an electronic curtain in a first position. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the camera assembly portion of  FIG. 9  illustrating the electronic curtain in a second position. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention including another electronic curtain in a first position. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the camera assembly portion of  FIG. 11  illustrating the electronic curtain in a second position. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention including another curtain in a first position. 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the camera assembly portion of  FIG. 13  illustrating the curtain in a second position. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention including another curtain in a first position. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the camera assembly portion of  FIG. 15  illustrating the curtain in a second position. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an automated wildlife surveillance system or trail camera assembly  10  that can be attached to a mounting structure (e.g., a tree, a post, etc.). The camera assembly  10  includes a housing  15  that includes a base  20  and a cover  25  that is secured to the base  20 . The housing  15  encloses and supports a camera  30  (e.g., a digital camera), an illumination source  35  (i.e., camera flash), and a detector  40  for taking pictures and/or video (described collectively as media) of subjects (e.g., wildlife). The housing  15  also supports a user interface  45  that has several button switches  50  and a display  55 . The cover  25  has several transparent windows  60  so that the camera  30 , the illumination source  35 , and the display  55  (and optionally, the detector  40 ) are protected from the environment while also providing exposure (i.e., a clear line of sight) for the camera  30 , the illumination source  35 , and the detector  40  through the cover  25 . The camera assembly  10  also has electrical and/or electronic connections  65  that provide power to components of the camera assembly  10  and to download the media stored in the camera  30 . As illustrated, a strap closure  70  (e.g., formed of a soft, resilient material) is attached to the housing  15  to enclose the user interface  45  (e.g., to protect the user interface  45  from debris, water, sunlight, rain, etc.) when not in use. As will be appreciated, the camera assembly  10  can include other components (e.g., additional sensors, not specifically discussed herein). 
     The illustrated detector  40  includes a passive infrared (“PIR”) sensor  75  and a lens  80  (e.g., a Fresnel lens). The sensor  75  detects a subject and outputs a signal to a processor  85  in response to detection of the subject. The lens  80  defines a field of view of the detector  40  and focuses infrared radiation generated or reflected by a warm object in the field of view onto the PIR sensor  75 . Generally, the detector  40  has a wide field of view (e.g., approximately 45-180°) to encompass a large area of the environment in front of the camera assembly  10 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the detector  40  also includes a curtain  90  that is movable (e.g., slidable vertically, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 ) between a first position ( FIG. 2 ) in which the curtain  90  does not cover or block a portion of the lens  80 , and a second position ( FIG. 4 ) in which the curtain  90  covers or blocks a portion of the lens  80  to adjust the field of view of the detector  40 . The illustrated curtain  90  is U-shaped and has a bridge section  95  that interconnects opaque curtain sections  100 . The curtain  90  is positioned in a recessed area  105  of the cover  25 , and outer edges of the curtain sections  100  slide within channels  110  ( FIG. 3 ) that are defined in the cover  25  so that the curtain  90  is slidable relative to the cover  25 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a detent  115  protrudes into each channel and acts on the curtain sections  100  near the bridge when the curtain  90  is in the second position to hold the curtain  90  in the second position. In other constructions, the cover  25  can be provided without a detent  115  such that general frictional resistance between the cover  25  and the sides of the curtain sections  100  can hold the curtain  90  in place. The curtain  90  also optionally has a projection or guide post  120  along a backside of the curtain  90  that engages a slot  125  in the cover  25  within the recessed area  105  to guide movement of the curtain  90  between the first position and the second position. The guide post  120  and the slot  125  also cooperatively inhibit removal of the curtain  90  from the cover  25  absent a user&#39;s desire to do so. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show the curtain  90  in the first position (a storage position) in which the curtain sections  100  do not cover the lens  80  such that the detector  40  has a predetermined wide field of view. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bridge section  95  has a higher profile than the curtain  90  protections so that a user can easily grasp the curtain  90  to move the curtain  90  between the first position and the second position.  FIG. 4  illustrates the curtain  90  in the second position in which the curtain sections  100  cover laterally opposite sides of the lens  80  such that the detector  40  has a narrow field of view (e.g., 5-45°). That is, the curtain sections  100  narrow the area in front of the camera assembly  10  in which the sensor  75  can detect infrared light. As a result, the PIR sensor  75  can only receive infrared light through the lens  80  between the curtain sections. 
     A user can adjust the field of view of the detector  40  from the wide field of view to the narrow field of view by sliding the curtain  90  from the first position to the second position so that the curtain sections  100  cover  25  the side areas of the lens  80 . In the second position, only the center area of the lens  80  focuses light onto the PIR sensor  75 . In addition to visual cues, the user can determine that the curtain  90  has reached the second position because the detent  115  will no longer act on the sides of the curtain sections  100  (i.e., the frictional resistance caused by the detent  115  ceases when the curtain  90  reaches the second position). As illustrated, the distance that the curtain  90  moves within the recessed area  105  between the first position and the second position is relatively small (e.g., less than approximately 1 inch), although the distance can change depending on the design of the camera assembly  10 . 
     The width of the curtain sections  100  determines the width of the field of view for the detector  40 . The illustrated curtain  90  is removable from the cover  25 , so that the field of view of the detector can be modified, if desired, by replacing the curtain  90  with another curtain  90  that has wider or narrower curtain sections  100 . To remove the curtain  90 , a user gently lifts the bridge section  95  to disengage the guide post  120  from the slot  125 , and then slides the curtain  90  along the channels  110  (downward as viewed in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ) until the curtain sections  100  are disengaged from the cover  25 . The user can then insert another curtain  90  into the recessed area  105  by sliding the curtain sections  100  of the new curtain  90  into the channels  110  until the guide post  120  engages the slot  125 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a second embodiment of the curtain. For ease of reference, the same camera is illustrated and referenced for all embodiments of the curtain, with only a slight change in the cover. The illustrated camera assembly  10  includes a different cover  130  and a pair of curtains  135  that are movable between respective first positions in which the curtains  135  do not cover or block a portion of the lens  80 , and respective second positions in which the curtains  135  cover or block a portion of the lens  80  to adjust the field of view of the detector  40 . In particular, the cover  130  has recessed areas  140  on opposite sides of the detector  40  to accommodate the curtains  135  so that either or both of the curtains  135  can slide between the first positions and the second positions to adjust the field of view for the detector  40 . 
     Each of the illustrated curtains  135  is rectangular and includes a user-engagement section  145  and an opaque curtain section  150 . The user-engagement section  145  has a raised profile so that a user can manipulate the curtain  135  between the first and second positions. Like the curtain sections  100  described with regard to  FIGS. 1-4 , outer edges of the curtain sections  150  are disposed in channels (not shown) that are defined in the cover  130  so that the curtain  135  is slidable relative to the cover  130 . The cover  130  also can include a detent (not shown) to act on the curtain sections  150  when the curtain  135  is in the second position to resist movement of the curtain  135  from the second position. Also, each curtain  135  can have a guide post (not shown), similar to the guide post  120  described relative to  FIGS. 1-4 , that is disposed along the underside to engage a corresponding slot  155  in the cover  130  to guide movement of the curtain  135  between the first position and the second position. The guide post and the slot  155  function similarly to the guide post  120  and the slot  155  described with regard to  FIGS. 1-4 , and as such, will not be described in detail. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the curtains  135  in the first position (a storage position) in which the curtain sections  150  do not cover the lens  80  such that the detector  40  has a predetermined wide field of view.  FIG. 6  illustrates the curtains  135  in the second position in which the curtain sections  150  cover laterally opposite sides of the lens  80  such that the detector  40  has a narrow field of view. That is, the curtain sections  150  narrow the area in front of the camera assembly  10  in which the sensor  75  can detect and respond to infrared light. 
     As will be appreciated, the curtains  135  illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  can slide together or independently relative to each other within the recessed areas  140  to modify the field of view for the detector  40 . For example, when movement of one curtain  135  depends on movement of the other curtain  135 , both curtains  135  slide simultaneously between the first position and the second position in response to manipulation of one of the curtains  135 . When each curtain  135  is independently movable, a user can manipulate either the left curtain  135  or the right curtain  135  between the first position and the second position to adjust the field of view for the detector  40  without also moving the other curtain  135 . Moreover, a user can manipulate independently movable curtains  135  consecutively or simultaneously between the first and second positions. More generally, the field of view for the detector  40  can be stepwise or continuously adjusted from the widest field of view provided to the narrowest field of view available by sliding one or both of the curtains  135  a desired amount. In this regard, this second embodiment of the curtain is infinitely variable between the first position and the second position. 
     A user can adjust the detector  40  from the wide field of view by sliding one or both curtains  135  from the first position toward or to the second position so that the corresponding curtain sections  150  cover the side areas of the lens  80 . As a result, only the center area of the lens  80  focuses light onto the PIR sensor  75 . Because the illustrated curtains  135  are oriented to slide horizontally between the first and second positions, a detent is not necessary to hold the curtains  135  in the desired position. The distance that the curtains  135  move within the recessed areas  140  between the first position and the second position is relatively small (e.g., less than approximately 1 inch). 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a third embodiment of the curtain, where the camera assembly  10  includes a different cover  160  and another pair of curtains  165  that are movable between respective first positions in which the curtains  165  do not cover or block a portion of the lens  80 , and respective second positions in which the curtains  165  cover or block a portion of the lens  80  to adjust the field of view of the detector  40 . More specifically, each of the illustrated curtains  165  is disposed in a recessed area  170  of the cover  160  and is pivotable (e.g., like shutters) about a corresponding pivot  175  between the first position and the second position. The curtains  165  have opaque curtain sections that are manipulatable by a user to adjust the field of view for the detector  40 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the curtains  165  in the first position such that the detector  40  has a predetermined wide field of view.  FIG. 8  illustrates the curtains  165  pivoted to the second position to cover laterally opposite sides of the lens  80  such that the detector  40  has a narrow field of view in which the PIR sensor  75  can only receive and respond to infrared light through the lens  80  between the curtains  165 . 
     The curtains  165  are independently movable between the first and second positions so that one or both sides of the lens  80  can be covered. The independently movable curtains  165  provide stepwise or continuous adjustment of the field of view for the detector  40  between the widest field of view provided and the narrowest field of view available by pivoting one or both of the curtains  165  to cover as much or as little of the lens  80  as desired. In particular, a user can adjust the field of view of the detector  40  from the wide field of view to a narrower field of view by pivoting one or both curtains  165  from the first position toward or to the second position so that the corresponding curtain sections  180  cover at least some of the side areas of the lens  80 . As a result, only the central area of the lens  80  focuses light onto the PIR sensor  75 . Like the curtains  165  described with regard to  FIGS. 1-6 , the illustrated curtains  165  are removable from the cover  160  so the narrow field of view can be modified, if desired, by replacing the curtains  165  with wider or narrower curtains  165 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate a fourth embodiment of the curtain. In this embodiment, the camera assembly includes a different cover  180  and an electronic or digital curtain  185  for the camera assembly  10 . The digital curtain  185  can be formed as part of the sensor  75 , provided as a separate component disposed between the sensor  75  and the lens  80 , or be incorporated into the control logic of a digital processor (e.g., the processor can selectively ignore signals form certain pixels). In some constructions, the camera assembly  10  can be provided without a separate lens  80  (e.g., the lens  80  can be incorporated into the sensor  75 , or not provided at all). As illustrated, the digital curtain  185  has a digital pixel array  190  that surrounds the center of the sensor  75  and that is variable between a first position (e.g., an “on state”) in which the detector  40  has a wide field of view, and a second position (e.g., an “off state”) in which the detector  40  has a narrow field of view. The pixel array  190  has a plurality of pixels  195  concentrically arranged around the center of the sensor  75 , which remains exposed to the environment surrounding the camera assembly  10  regardless of the state of the pixel array  190 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the detector  40  with the pixel array  190  in the on state (i.e., the detector  40  has the wide field of view). More specifically, all of the pixels  195  are in the on state such that the sensor  75  responds to infrared light detected by any of the pixels  195  (i.e., the detector  40  has a wide field of view) or by the center, non-pixilated area of the sensor  75 . If desired, some or all of the pixels  195  can be varied to the off state so that the detector  40  has a narrower field of view by manipulating a button or switch (not shown) on the housing  15 . Generally, the quantity of pixels  195  that are in the off state determines how narrow the field of view will be for the detector  40 .  FIG. 10  shows the detector  40  with some of the pixels  195  in the off state (illustrated as grayed-out in  FIG. 10 ) such that the detector  40  has a narrow field of view (i.e., only the center area of the sensor  75  and the vertically-centered pixels  195  receive and respond to infrared light). Depending on the level of control provided in the camera assembly  10 , one or more of the pixels  195  can be individually or collectively varied (using corresponding controls or switches on the camera assembly  10 ) between the on and off states to achieve the desired field of view for the detector  40 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a fifth embodiment of the curtain. Like the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment is another electronic or digital curtain  200  for the camera assembly  10 . Like the digital curtain  185  described with regard to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the digital curtain  200  shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  can be formed as part of the sensor  75 , provided as a separate component or layer disposed between the sensor  75  and the lens  80  (e.g., on the surface of the sensor  75 ), or be incorporated into the control logic of a digital processor (e.g., the processor can selectively ignore signals form certain pixels). Likewise, the camera assembly  10  can be provided without a separate lens  80  (e.g., the lens  80  can be incorporated into the sensor  75 , or not provided at all). 
     As illustrated, the digital curtain  200  has a digital pixel array  205  with a plurality of pixels  210  arranged in a matrix across the sensor  75 . Each pixel  210  can be varied (individually or collectively with at least some of the remaining pixels  210 ) between a first position (e.g., an “on state”) and a second position (e.g., an “off state”) to adjust the field of view for the detector  40 . When all of the pixels  210  are in the on state, the detector  40  has a wide field of view. In other words, the sensor  75  receives and responds to infrared light detected by any of the pixels  210 . When one or more pixels  210  are in the off state, the detector  40  will have a narrower field of view (i.e., a field of view that is smaller than the wide field of view) such that the sensor  75  only responds to infrared light detected by the pixels  210  in the on state. 
       FIG. 11  shows the detector  40  with all of the pixels  210  in the on state (i.e., the detector  40  has the wide field of view). If desired, a user can vary some or all of the pixels  210  to the off state so that the detector  40  has a narrower field of view by manipulating a button or switch (not shown) on the housing  15 .  FIG. 12  shows the detector  40  with pixels  210  on opposite sides of the sensor  75  (left and right sides as viewed in  FIG. 12 ) in the off state (illustrated as grayed-out in  FIG. 12 ) such that only the centrally located pixels  210  are in the on state and respond to infrared light, thus narrowing the detector&#39;s field of view. Depending on the level of control provided in the camera assembly  10 , individual pixels  210  or groups of pixels  210  can be varied between the on and off states to achieve the desired field of view for the detector  40 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate a sixth embodiment of a curtain  220  for the camera assembly  10 . The camera assembly  10  includes the cover  25  (or a similar cover) and the recessed area  105 , and the curtain  220  is movable between a first position ( FIG. 13 ) in which the curtain  220  does not cover or block a portion of the lens  80 , and a second position ( FIG. 14 ) in which the curtain  220  covers or blocks a portion of the lens  80  to adjust the field of view of the detector  40 . More specifically, the illustrated curtain  220  is disposed in the recessed area  105  of the cover  160  and has a flange  225  that slides within the channels  110  between the first position and the second position. 
     The curtain  220  is further defined by a cylindrical body  230  extending outward from the flange  225 . The cylindrical body  230  has a hollow central shaft  235  and an opaque curtain section  240  disposed concentrically about the central shaft  235  (i.e., the radially inward surface of the curtain section  240  defines the central shaft  235 ). The central shaft  235  passes completely through the body  230  and the flange  225  so that some infrared light can still reach the PIR sensor  75 . The central shaft  235  has a predetermined width or diameter that determines the field of view of the detector  40 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the curtain  220  in the first position such that the detector  40  has a predetermined wide field of view.  FIG. 14  illustrates the curtain  220  slid to the second position to cover the outermost radial portion of the lens  80  such that the detector  40  has a narrow field of view in which the PIR sensor  75  can only receive and respond to infrared light through the lens  80  directed along the central shaft  235 . The curtain  220  is movable between the first and second positions so that the detector has the predetermined wide field of view (determined based on the field of view of the lens  80 ), or a narrow field of view (determined by the width of the central shaft  235 ). A user can adjust the field of view of the detector  40  from the wide field of view to a narrower field of view by moving the curtain from the first position to the second position. In the second position, only the central area of the lens  80  focuses light onto the PIR sensor  75 . Like the curtains  165  described with regard to  FIGS. 1-8 , the illustrated curtain  220  is removable from the cover  160  so the narrow field of view can be modified, if desired, by replacing the curtain  220  with a wider or narrower curtain  220 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a seventh embodiment of a curtain  250  for the camera assembly  10 . The camera assembly  10  includes the cover  180  described with regard to  FIGS. 9-12 . The curtain  250  has a plurality of overlapping, opaque blades  255  arranged around the perimeter of the lens  80  to form a mechanical aperture  260  at the center of the blades  255 . The blades  255  are adjustable between a first position in which the curtain  250  does not cover or block a significant portion of the lens  80 , and a second position in which the curtain  250  covers or blocks a significant portion of the lens  80  to adjust the field of view of the detector  40 . The PIR sensor  75  is not shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16  for clarity. 
     The curtain  250  can be a mechanical or electro-mechanical device that moves the blades  255  generally radially inward and radially outward to adjust the size of the aperture, and thus the amount of light passing through the lens  80 . For example, movement of the blades can be accomplished mechanically by twisting or rotating a knob on the cover  180  or electrically or electronically via a control on the cover  180  (e.g., a pushbutton on the cover  180 ). The blades  255  can be continuously or step-wise movable between the first position and the second position to achieve a desired aperture size corresponding to a desired field of view. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the curtain  250  in the first position such that the detector  40  has a predetermined wide field of view.  FIG. 16  illustrates the curtain  250  with the blades  255  moved radially inward toward the second position to cover the outermost radial portion of the lens  80  such that the detector  40  has a narrow field of view through the aperture  260 . In the position illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the PIR sensor  75  can only receive and respond to infrared light through the lens  80  directed through the aperture  260 . 
     The detector  40  triggers the camera  30  to take a picture or start a video when the PIR sensor  75  detects and responds to infrared light (or a change in infrared light) within the field of view of the detector  40 . More specifically, the processor  85  receives information from the sensor  75  regarding the position of the subject within the maximum field of view provided by the detector  40 , and is programmed to actuate the camera  30  when the subject is within the field of view. The adjustable field of view for the detector  40  allows a user to selectively choose a wide field of view to capture a subject anywhere in the camera&#39;s field of vision, or a narrower field of view to capture a subject closer to the center of the camera&#39;s field of vision. While specific examples of mechanical and electronic or digital curtains are discussed in detail with regard to  FIGS. 1-16 , is should be appreciated that other curtains can be used to selectively narrow the field of view of the detector  40 . 
     With regard to the curtains described with regard to  FIGS. 1-8  and  13 - 16 , when the curtain  90 ,  135 ,  165 ,  220 ,  250  is in the first position, the field of view of the detector  40  is the same as the camera&#39;s field of vision. When the curtain  90 ,  135 ,  165 ,  220 ,  250  is moved to the second position, the field of view of the detector  40  is narrower than the camera&#39;s field of vision so that the media taken with the camera assembly  10  will more likely show the subject centered on the media. A narrower field of view for the detector  40  also will be more likely to accurately and completely capture the subject in the media. Moreover, a user can manipulate the curtain  90 ,  135 ,  165 ,  220 ,  250  to adjust the field of view as desired. 
     With regard to the digital curtains described with regard to  FIGS. 9-12 , in some constructions the pixels  195 ,  210  that are in the off state may receive infrared light emanating from the environment. In these constructions, the processor  85  receives information from the sensor  75  regarding the position of the subject within the maximum field of view (i.e., the widest field of view provided for the detector  40 ) in response to any pixel  195 ,  210  detecting infrared light. However, the processor  85  in these constructions is programmed to trigger the camera  30  only when the subject is within the adjusted field of view that is narrower than the maximum field of view. In other words, the detector  40  recognizes a subject that is in the wide field of view and communicates this recognition to the processor  85 , but the processor  85  does not trigger the camera  30  until at least one of the pixels  195 ,  210  that is in the on state (or the center area of the sensor  75  of  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) receives and responds to infrared light. Thus, the processor does not trigger the camera  30  when a pixel  195 ,  210  in the off state receives to infrared light. 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.