Patent Description:
Video cameras may be used in for both security and surveillance. Security cameras, also known as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, are used to convey signals from one particular place to a monitor situated at a distance,
whereas surveillance cameras normally work on internet protocol (IP) networks which link the camera from a remote area to an assigned security location. In either application, the video camera often has an exposed camera dome which, over time, may become subjected to a variety of environmental conditions. The camera dome may become scratched or otherwise damaged and need to be replaced. Accordingly, a video camera that facilitates the ability to replace the camera dome is highly desirable.

<CIT> discloses a security system including modular ring housing. A modular building system arrangement includes a plurality of electrical building systems. Each electrical building system has a housing with a mechanical connector that is connectable with a like connector of each other building system housing. Members of any subset of the building system housings are connectable with each other to form a building system assembly. The building systems of the building system assembly conjointly define an electrically conductive pathway interconnecting each of the building systems of the building system assembly. The pathway carries power and/or data.

<CIT> discloses an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes a lens barrel unit, an image sensor substrate having an image sensor, a metal plate to which an image sensor substrate is fixed, a lens barrel holder made of a metal material and configured to support the lens barrel unit, a third cover member made of a heat-conductive resin material fixed to the lens barrel holder and configured to coverthe circumferential surface of the lens barrel unit, and a heat-conductive member configured to conduct heat of an image sensor sheet metal to the lens barrel holder.

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in an improved housing configuration for a video camera which facilitates assembly at the factory level, facilitates installation at the customer level, and facilitates replacement of a camera dome. Accordingly, the components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Briefly, there is provided herein a video camera comprising a housing configured to provide improved assembly both at the manufacturing level and the installation level. For the purposes of this application, the video camera may a security camera, also known as a CCTV camera, or the video camera may be a surveillance camera, which works on an internet protocol (IP) network which links the camera from a remote area to an assigned security location. The housing configuration further advantageously facilitates the removal and replacement of the camera dome.

<FIG> is an isometric view <NUM> of a housing <NUM> for a video camera formed in accordance with some embodiments. The video camera housing <NUM> provides a plurality of housing portions for camera and IR electronics. The plurality of housing portions comprises a top housing portion <NUM>, a mid-housing portion <NUM> and a bottom housing portion <NUM>. The top housing portion <NUM>, the mid-housing portion <NUM> and the bottom housing portion <NUM>, may also be referred to as first, second, and third housing portions respectively. The top housing portion <NUM> is configured as a circular and rounded exterior contoured wall <NUM>, the circular and rounded exterior contoured wall has an exterior recessed feature <NUM> formed along an edge <NUM>. The top housing portion <NUM> may comprise a second opposing recessed feature <NUM>' which will be shown in other views.

In accordance with some embodiments, the mid-housing portion <NUM> is formed of an infrared (IR) window ring <NUM> having an alignment tab <NUM> extending therefrom. The mid-housing portion <NUM> may comprise a second opposed alignment tab <NUM>', which will be shown in other views. The alignment tab <NUM> is aligned and recessed within the exterior recessed feature <NUM> of the circular and rounded exterior contoured wall <NUM> of the top housing portion <NUM>. The IR window ring <NUM> is formed of a material permeable to IR and opaque to visible light. The bottom housing portion <NUM> comprises a camera dome <NUM> seated within and protruding from the IR window ring <NUM>. The top housing portion <NUM> is highly contrasted to the mid-housing portion <NUM> and bottom housing portion <NUM>. Exterior recessed feature <NUM> with alignment tab <NUM> recessed therein provide a natural finger recess with affordance to facilitate gripping during assembly, during installation, and during removal and replacement of the camera dome <NUM>. The dark contrast of the combined mid and bottom housing portions <NUM>, <NUM> further beneficially protects the top housing portion <NUM> from getting dirty during handling.

The video camera of the various embodiments may also be referred to as a fisheye camera as it advantageously provides <NUM>° panoramic views of large areas from a single vantage point. The fisheye camera provides superior situational awareness with no blind spots for a cost-effective solution, along with multiple mounting and accessory options for easy installation. The video camera may be one of an internet protocol (IP) camera or a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera. When using a wide-angle panoramic internet protocol (IP) camera, images are typically warped, which creates the effect of a fisheye. The IP camera is a type of digital video camera that receives control data and sends image data via an IP network. The IP camera may be used, for example, for surveillance but unlike analog closed-circuit television cameras, the IP camera requires no local recording device, only a local area network.

The video camera provided by the various embodiments advantageously provides an improved housing configuration that allows for ease of manufacturability, ease of installation, and improved ease of replacement of the dome camera. The video camera housing further includes an offset parting line <NUM> which is formed between the top housing portion <NUM> and the mid-housing portion <NUM>. The offset parting line <NUM> helps to further recess and protect the printed branding insignia <NUM> on alignment tab <NUM>. The parting line does not compromise water test specifications, such as IP66, IP67, and NEMA 4x hosedown. NEMA stands for National Electric Manufacturers Association which sets test specifications for gasket enclosure type products intended for indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose directed water; undamaged by ice which forms on the enclosure.

The alignment tab <NUM> forms a three-sided frame around a branding insignia <NUM> printed thereon. The three-sided frame provides improved prominence to the branding insignia <NUM>. The IR window edge <NUM> with the offset parting line <NUM> running along the three-sided frame enhances protection to the recessed alignment tab <NUM> and branding insignia <NUM> printed thereon.

The housing <NUM> may be mounted to, and dismounted from, a circular mounting apparatus having video camera electronics (shown in other views), wherein the circular mounting apparatus is attached to a wall or ceiling.

<FIG> is a partially assembled isometric view of the video camera formed in accordance with some embodiments. This view shows the mid-housing portion <NUM> and bottom housing portion <NUM> coupled together as a sub-assembly <NUM> for mounting to the top housing portion <NUM>. During manufacturing assembly, the sub-assembly <NUM> couples IR window ring <NUM> and camera dome <NUM>, and then the sub-assembly <NUM> is coupled to the top housing portion <NUM>. In accordance with the various embodiments, the IR window ring <NUM> is formed of a material permeable to IR and opaque to visible light. The IR window ring <NUM> further comprises the alignment tab <NUM> extending therefrom for aligning with the exterior recessed feature <NUM> of the top housing portion <NUM>. The alignment tab118 frames the branding insignia <NUM> printed on an exterior surface of the alignment tab. For example, the alignment tab <NUM> can frame a trademark or other wording or symbols to facilitate product recognition as well as facilitate assembly and disassembly. The top housing portion <NUM> includes IR electronics, such as IR circuitry <NUM> and IR lenslets <NUM>, surrounding a pass-through opening <NUM> (for a camera lens located on the circular mounting apparatus - shown in other views). The lenslets <NUM> are positioned so as to align with the IR window ring <NUM>. A sealing ring <NUM> provides sealing between the top housing portion <NUM> and the sub-assembly <NUM> formed of the mid and bottom housing portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partially assembled side view of the video camera formed in accordance with some embodiments. This view shows two alignment tabs <NUM>, <NUM>' extending from the IR window ring <NUM> for aligning and coupling within two exterior recessed features <NUM>, <NUM>' formed along the edge <NUM> of the top housing portion <NUM>. The recessed features <NUM>, <NUM>' provide improved assembly, installation and ruggedness that protects against damage to the tabs <NUM>, <NUM>' during drop impact. The top housing portion <NUM> with recessed features <NUM>, <NUM>' is made of a plastic suitable for protection against <NUM> joules on impact (IK10 rating), making it extremely safe & vandal proof. The camera dome <NUM> of the bottom housing portion <NUM> is mounted within the IR window ring <NUM>. The sub-assembly <NUM> of the two housing portions <NUM>, <NUM> is thus able to align and fit to the top housing portion <NUM>. This view shows the lenslets <NUM> of top housing portion <NUM> extending outward so as to align within the IR window ring <NUM>.

<FIG> further shows the first housing portion <NUM> being formed of a rounded exterior contoured wall <NUM> formed between a first larger circular opening <NUM> and a second smaller sized circular opening <NUM>. The plurality of IR lenslets <NUM>, surrounding the pass-through opening <NUM>, protrude through the second smaller sized circular opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partial cutaway view of the assembled housing <NUM> showing a seal ring <NUM>, seated over a projected flange <NUM> of the second housing portion <NUM>, and retained within a rail <NUM> of the first housing portion <NUM>. The seal <NUM> has a top seal plateau surface 208a with two side seal surfaces <NUM> b, 208c extending downward therefrom, so as to cover the flange <NUM>. The seal ring <NUM> is held in place via the rail <NUM>. The seal ring <NUM>, flange <NUM> and rail <NUM> advantageously provide a circular seal between the top housing portion <NUM> and IR window ring <NUM>. The sealing improves ruggedization and minimizes water intrusion.

<FIG> further emphasizes the protection provided to alignment tab <NUM> by the exterior recessed feature <NUM> formed along an edge <NUM> of top housing portion <NUM>. The recessed alignment tab <NUM> frames and protects the branding insignia <NUM> printed thereon. The IR window ring <NUM> with edge <NUM> forming the offset parting line <NUM> further provide enhanced protection to the recessed alignment tab <NUM> and branding insignia <NUM> printed thereon.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show an advantageous tray shape of the IR window ring <NUM> formed of sloped side walls where the alignment tabs <NUM>, <NUM>' can be easily gripped like tray handles. The entire sub-assembly <NUM> formed of the combined mid and bottom housing portions can fit in the palm of a hand, so that the alignments tabs <NUM>, <NUM>' can be aligned into the respective recessed features <NUM>, <NUM>' of the top housing portion <NUM>. Exterior recessed features <NUM>, <NUM>' provide a natural finger recess with affordance for ease of assembly of housing <NUM>.

Once the top housing portion <NUM> is assembled with the sub-assembly <NUM> to form housing <NUM>, the lenslets <NUM>, which protrude out from the top housing portion <NUM>, align within and face the sloped sidewalls of the IR window ring <NUM>. The exterior recessed features <NUM>, <NUM>' further facilitate installation of housing <NUM> to a ceiling mounted apparatus (shown in other views) by allowing installers to use the recessed features <NUM>, <NUM>' with alignment tabs <NUM>, <NUM>' recessed therein as grip locations which protect the top housing portion <NUM> from getting dirty during installation.

<FIG> is an exploded view <NUM> of the video camera formed in accordance with some embodiments. View <NUM> shows the top housing portion <NUM> having exterior recessed feature <NUM> integrated thereon, as well as IR circuitry <NUM> and IR lenslets <NUM> protruding therefrom. View <NUM> shows the mid-housing portion <NUM> formed of IR window ring <NUM> in its individual piece part form. View <NUM> further shows the bottom housing portion <NUM> having camaera dome <NUM> in its piece part form.

A first plurality of screws <NUM>, or other coupling means, may be used to mount the IR window ring <NUM> to the bottom housing portion <NUM> having camera dome <NUM>. A second plurality of screws <NUM>, or other coupling means, may be used to mount the top housing portion <NUM> to the combined sub-assembly of mid and bottom housing portions <NUM>, 108In accordance with some embodiments, the IR window ring <NUM> is formed of a material permeable to IR and opaque to visible light. The IR window ring <NUM> provides alignment tab <NUM> extending therefrom for aligning with the exterior recessed feature <NUM> of the top housing portion <NUM>. The alignment tab <NUM> frames the branding insignia <NUM> printed thereon. Once the IR window ring <NUM> is aligned and secured to the top housing portion <NUM>, IR lenslets <NUM> become seated within the IR window ring <NUM>. A first plurality of screws <NUM>, or other coupling means, may be used to mount the IR window ring <NUM> to the bottom housing portion <NUM> having camera dome <NUM>. A second plurality of screws <NUM>, or other coupling means, may be used to mount the top housing portion <NUM> to the combined sub-assembly of mid and bottom housing portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

The bottom housing portion <NUM> comprises the camera dome <NUM> surrounded by, and protruding from, an opaque circular base <NUM> of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion <NUM> is coupled, via the opaque circular base <NUM>, to the mid-housing portion <NUM> within a corresponding opening <NUM> of the mid housing portion <NUM>. The opening <NUM> of the mid-housing portion <NUM> is surrounded by a flat, planar circular surface <NUM> of the mid-housing portion. When the mid-housing portion <NUM> and bottom housing portion <NUM> are coupled together, such as via screws <NUM>, a flush mount is formed between the mid-housing portion and the bottom housing portion <NUM> through which the camera dome <NUM> protrudes.

<FIG> is another exploded view <NUM> of the video camera housing with a circular mounting apparatus <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. The circular mounting apparatus <NUM> includes video camera electronics and is mountable to a surface, such as a ceiling, wall or other suitable surface.

The housing <NUM> is formed of top housing portion <NUM>, mid-housing portion <NUM>, and bottom housing portion <NUM>. Screws <NUM> couple the mid-housing portion <NUM> to the bottom housing portion <NUM> forming sub-assembly <NUM>. Top housing portion <NUM> is then coupled to sub-assembly <NUM> via screws <NUM>. This forms the housing assembly which can be shipped to an installer.

The video camera electronics of the circular mounting apparatus <NUM> include a camera lens <NUM> extending therefrom. When the housing <NUM> is installed to the circular mounting apparatus <NUM>, the camera lens <NUM> protrudes through the pass-through opening <NUM> of top housing <NUM> and aligns within the camera dome <NUM> of the bottom housing portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is another view <NUM> of the video camera housing <NUM> and circular mounting apparatus <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. View <NUM> is provided to show the advantageous manner in which the assembled housing <NUM> can be mounted and dismounted from the circular mounting apparatus <NUM> via screws <NUM> within the top housing portion <NUM> and corresponding screw inserts <NUM> in the circular mounting apparatus <NUM>. Once housing <NUM> is removed from the circular mounting apparatus <NUM>, then the sub-assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) can be unscrewed from top housing portion <NUM>. Once the sub-assembly <NUM> has been removed from the top housing portion <NUM>, then the bottom housing portion <NUM> having camera dome <NUM> can be removed from the mid-housing portion <NUM> having IR window ring <NUM>. Thus the camera dome <NUM> can be easily replaced by providing a replacement bottom housing portion with new dome.

The replacement bottom housing portion with new dome can be attached to the mid-housing portion <NUM>, thereby forming a new sub-assembly. The new subassembly is re-attached to the top housing portion <NUM>. The entire housing <NUM> (with new camera dome) is then re-attached to circular mounting apparatus <NUM> through screws <NUM> and screw inserts <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the various embodiments thus provide for a video camera, comprising: a circular mounting apparatus <NUM> containing video camera electronics <NUM>, and a housing <NUM> coupled to the mounting apparatus. The housing <NUM> is formed of three housing portions comprising a first top housing portion <NUM>, a second mid-housing portion <NUM>, and a third bottom housing portion <NUM>. The first housing portion <NUM>, contains IR electronics <NUM>, and the first housing portion is formed of the rounded exterior contoured wall <NUM> formed between the first circular opening <NUM> for coupling to the circular mounting apparatus <NUM> and the second smaller sized circular opening <NUM> through which the plurality of IR lenslets <NUM> surrounding the pass-through opening <NUM> protrude. The rounded exterior contoured wall <NUM> has at least one exterior recessed feature <NUM> formed therein along the edge <NUM> of the second smaller sized circular opening <NUM>.

The second housing portion <NUM> provides the IR window ring <NUM> having the alignment tab <NUM> extending therefrom. The alignment tab <NUM> may frame a printed branding insignia <NUM> disposed thereon. The alignment tab <NUM> being recessed within exterior recessed feature <NUM> of the first housing portion provides additional framing and protection to the branding insignia printed thereon. The IR window ring <NUM> is formed of the material permeable to IR and opaque to visible light. The alignment tab <NUM> is aligned and recessed within the exterior recessed feature <NUM> of the rounded exterior contoured wall <NUM> of the first housing portion <NUM>. The rounded exterior contoured wall <NUM> of the first housing portion <NUM> is formed of material that blocks light, and the IR window ring <NUM> of the second housing portion is formed of material that is permeable to IR light. The top housing portion <NUM> may be formed, for example, of an aluminum casting, and the mid-housing portion <NUM> may be formed, for example, of a light transmissible polycarbonate.

The third housing portion <NUM> is formed of the opaque circular base <NUM> having translucent camera dome <NUM> protruding therefrom. The opaque circular base <NUM> is seated within the IR window ring <NUM> thereby aligning the translucent camera dome <NUM> with the pass-through opening <NUM> of the first housing portion <NUM>. The third housing portion <NUM> may be formed of an opaque polycarbonate ring surrounding the dome <NUM> which may be formed of a translucent polycarbonate suitable for optical applications.

The opaque circular base <NUM> of the third housing portion <NUM> provides a seal preventing light from passing between the camera pass-through <NUM> and the IR window ring <NUM>. The offset parting line <NUM> is formed between the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> to provide extra recessed protection to the alignment tabs <NUM>, <NUM>' and printed branding insignia <NUM>. Hence, the alignment tabs <NUM>, <NUM>' and branding insignia <NUM> disposed thereon are well protecting against drop impact. The bottom housing portion <NUM> with camera dome <NUM> is replaceable. The video camera housing <NUM> may be mounted to the circular mounting apparatus <NUM> having the video camera electronics. The video camera may be a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera or an internet protocol (IP) camera.

Accordingly, the housing <NUM>, provided by the various embodiments, advantageously facilitates assembly at the factory level, facilitates installation at in the field, and facilitates replacement of the camera dome.

<FIG> show design views of the video camera housing <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> is an isometric view of the video camera housing formed in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> is a first side view of the video camera housing formed in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> is a second side view of the video camera housing formed in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> is a third side view of the video camera housing formed in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> is a fourth side view of the video camera housing formed in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> is a top view of the video camera housing formed in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> is a bottom view of the video camera housing formed in accordance with some embodiments.

Claim 1:
A video camera, comprising:
a circular mounting apparatus (<NUM>) containing video camera electronics;
a housing (<NUM>) coupled to the circular mounting apparatus (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>) being formed of three housing portions, comprising:
a first top housing portion (<NUM>) containing infrared, IR, electronics (<NUM>), the first top housing portion (<NUM>) being formed of a rounded exterior contoured wall (<NUM>) formed between a first circular opening (<NUM>) for coupling to the circular mounting apparatus (<NUM>) and a second smaller sized circular opening (<NUM>) through which a plurality of IR lenslets (<NUM>) surrounding a camera pass-though opening (<NUM>) protrude, the rounded exterior contoured wall (<NUM>) having an exterior recessed feature (<NUM>) formed therein along an edge (<NUM>) of the second smaller sized circular opening (<NUM>);
a second mid-housing portion (<NUM>) providing an IR window ring (<NUM>) having an alignment tab (<NUM>) extending therefrom, the IR window ring (<NUM>) being formed of a material permeable to IR and opaque to visible light, and the alignment tab (<NUM>) being aligned and recessed within the exterior recessed feature (<NUM>) of the rounded exterior contoured wall (<NUM>) of the first top housing portion (<NUM>); and
a third bottom housing portion (<NUM>) providing a camera dome (<NUM>) formed of an opaque circular ring (<NUM>) having a translucent camera dome (<NUM>) protruding therefrom, the opaque circular ring (<NUM>) being seated within the IR window ring (<NUM>) thereby aligning the translucent camera dome (<NUM>) with the pass-through opening (<NUM>) of the first top housing portion (<NUM>).