Patent Description:
A camera, especially a surveillance camera, is widely used in the field of security protection, to collect a video image of a monitored area. In some scenarios, the surveillance camera needs to have a wireless network transmission function, for example, a cellular network function, a Wi-Fi function, and a Bluetooth function, and a wireless perception function, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) function and a radar function. Therefore, the camera needs to be provided with an antenna used to receive and transmit a line signal. As shown in <FIG>, an antenna of a surveillance camera usually extends out of a housing of the camera. In this disposing manner, the housing of the camera needs to be provided with a hole or a connection structure of the antenna. Therefore, structural strength of the camera is affected. In particular, in a scenario in which the surveillance camera needs to be concealed, an external antenna causes the surveillance camera to be less concealed and to occupy more space. In addition, the surveillance camera is usually disposed outdoors. Therefore, when outdoor ambient temperature is relatively low, a lens of the surveillance camera is prone to get foggy or frosty. As a result, normal working of the camera is affected. <CIT> discloses a vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera includes a pixelated imaging array having a plurality of photosensing elements. The camera includes a lens having at least one optic element. The at least one optic element includes graphene or the at least one optic element has a graphene coating or trace at a surface thereof or the at least one optic element has a transparent shield disposed thereat and having graphene or a graphene coating or trace or the at least one optic element has a replaceable protective film or element disposed thereat and having graphene or a graphene coating or trace. Electrical leads are used to energize or power graphene traces in order to limit icing or fogging of the camera lens. <CIT> discloses a vehicular scalable integrated control system that includes a plurality of cameras, a vehicular scalable integrated control unit, and a display screen for displaying video information to a driver of the vehicle. The cameras may wirelessly communicate the captured image data to an image processor or may communicate via a wired connection or communication link or Ethernet cable or link.

This application provides a camera device, to resolve a prior-art problem that a camera is less concealed due to an antenna disposed on a housing of the camera, and a prior-art problem that a lens is prone to get foggy or frosty when the camera device works in a low-temperature environment.

According to a first embodiment, this application provides a camera device according to claim <NUM>. Further second to sixth embodiments are defined by claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to the foregoing camera device provided above, after being processed by the radio frequency circuit, a communication signal generated by the communications module is sent in a form of the radio frequency signal through the window lens. Alternatively, the window lens receives a radio frequency signal of another wireless communications device, and sends, to the communications module, the radio frequency signal processed by the radio frequency circuit, to implement data exchange between the camera device and the another wireless communications device. Therefore, the housing of the camera device does not need to be provided with an antenna, and the camera device is more concealed. In addition, the heating drive circuit can heat the window lens, to solve a problem that the window lens of the camera device is prone to get foggy or frosty when ambient humidity is comparatively high or ambient temperature changes greatly.

In a first possible implementation, the window lens includes a lens layer and a transparent radiation medium attached to the lens layer; and the first terminal is disposed at an edge of the window lens, and is connected to the transparent radiation medium.

In this case, the window lens receives and transmits a video signal through the transparent radiation medium, so that the lens layer may be made of an optical material having a light transmission characteristic, for example, quartz glass, resin, sapphire (a main component is aluminum oxide), aluminum-silicon reinforced glass, or the like, only provided that the transparent radiation medium is attached to the optical material. In addition, the heating drive circuit enables, by applying a current to the transparent radiation medium, the transparent radiation medium to emit heat to remove fog or frost from the lens layer. This ensures that the window lens has a capability of receiving and transmitting the radio frequency signal and a defrosting capability, and maintains good light transmittance at the same time. In addition, manufacturing costs are reduced.

In a second possible implementation, the transparent radiation medium is a radiation thin layer made of a transparent radiation material, and the radiation thin layer is attached to one side of the lens layer or embedded inside the lens layer.

In this case, after being attached to the radiation thin layer, the lens layer may become the window lens that can receive and transmit the radio frequency signal, so that production costs are comparatively low. In addition, if the lens layer is accidentally damaged in use, only the lens layer needs to be replaced, so that the camera device in this application can continue to work normally, and usage costs are reduced. In addition, if the radiation thin layer is embedded inside the lens layer, when the heating drive circuit heats the radiation thin layer, heat may be fully used by the lens layer to improve a defrosting effect.

In a possible implementation, the transparent radiation medium is an antenna pattern drawn by using a transparent radiation coating.

In this case, after the antenna pattern is drawn on the lens layer, the optical lens can have a capability of receiving and transmitting the radio frequency signal and a defrosting capability.

In a possible implementation, the window lens further includes a thin film base layer, the antenna pattern is drawn on the thin film base layer, and the thin film base layer is attached to one side of the lens layer.

In this case, the lens layer and the thin film base layer may be separated. In a case in which the lens layer is accidentally damaged, only the lens layer needs to be replaced, so that the camera device in this application can continue to work normally, and usage costs are reduced.

With reference to a second embodiment, the communications module includes one or more of a Wi-Fi module, an LTE module, a <NUM> NR module, an RFID module, a ZigBee module, a Bluetooth module, and a radar module.

In this case, different communications modules may be selected based on an actual requirement, so that the camera device can communicate with another wireless communications device in different communications protocols.

In a third embodiment, the first terminal and the second terminal are thin film terminals used in pairs, and the first terminal is connected to the second terminal by compressing.

In this case, the thin film terminal has a comparatively small volume, and is easier to be mounted in a camera device with comparatively small window space.

In a fourth embodiment, the first terminal and the second terminal are multi-pin terminals used in pairs, and the first terminal is connected to the second terminal by plugging.

In this case, the plug connection of the multi-pin terminal is more securely connected, and reliability of a radio frequency function and a defrosting function of the camera device can be improved.

In a fifth embodiment, the housing is a bullet housing, and the window panel is disposed on a bottom surface of the bullet housing.

In a sixth embodiment, the housing is a dome housing, and the window panel is disposed on a tangent plane of the dome housing.

In this case, the camera device provided in this application may be a bullet camera device, a dome camera device, or a camera device in another form, and may be widely applied to different application scenarios and environments, to implement data exchange between the camera device in each form and another wireless communications device. Therefore, the housing of the camera device does not need to be provided with the antenna, and the camera is more concealed. In addition, the problem that the window lens of the camera device is prone to get foggy or frosty when the ambient humidity is comparatively high or the ambient temperature changes greatly is resolved.

<NUM>: housing; <NUM>: window panel; <NUM>: radio frequency circuit; <NUM>: second terminal; <NUM>: communications module; <NUM>: heating drive circuit; <NUM>: window; <NUM>: window lens; <NUM>: first terminal; <NUM>: lens layer; <NUM>: transparent radiation medium; <NUM>: film base layer; <NUM>: radiation thin layer; and <NUM>: antenna pattern.

To make a person skilled in the art understand the technical solutions in this application better, the following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of this application.

An embodiment of this application provides a camera device. <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a camera device according to this embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded view of a window of a camera device according to this embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a circuit connection of a camera device according to this embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the camera device includes a housing <NUM>, and a radio frequency circuit <NUM>, a communications module <NUM>, and a heating drive circuit <NUM> that are disposed in the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is provided with a window panel <NUM>, and the window panel <NUM> is provided with a hole to form a window <NUM>. The window <NUM> is provided with a window lens <NUM> capable of receiving and transmitting a radio frequency signal, and the window lens <NUM> is provided with a first terminal <NUM>. The radio frequency circuit <NUM> is connected to the communications module <NUM>, and the radio frequency circuit <NUM> and the heating drive circuit <NUM> are provided with a common second terminal <NUM>. The first terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the second terminal <NUM>, to form a radio frequency channel including the communications module <NUM>, the radio frequency circuit <NUM>, and the window lens <NUM>, and a heating channel including the heating drive circuit <NUM> and the window lens <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is configured to seal and protect an electronic device in the camera device, and enable the camera device to present in different forms. The housing <NUM> may be made of a metal material, for example, iron, aluminum, or an alloy thereof, or may be made of plastic, for example, ABS resin, polycarbonate, or the like.

The radio frequency circuit <NUM> in the housing <NUM> is configured to generate, based on a data signal generated by the communications module <NUM>, a waveform signal that carries data. The waveform signal is usually an alternating current signal. After the waveform signal is sent to the window lens <NUM>, the window lens <NUM> can excite the radio frequency signal, to transmit data to another wireless communications device through the radio frequency signal. Another camera device having an external antenna also includes the radio frequency circuit <NUM> and the communications module <NUM>. Therefore, a specific circuit structure, a product specification, and the like of the radio frequency circuit <NUM> and the communications module <NUM> are not specifically limited in this application. A person skilled in the art may independently select a corresponding radio frequency circuit <NUM> and a corresponding communications module <NUM> based on factors such as manufacturing costs of a camera device and an expected compatible communications protocol. These designs and concepts that can be implemented herein do not go beyond the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

In addition, the heating drive circuit <NUM> is configured to generate a heating current. The heating current acts on the window lens <NUM>, and makes the window lens <NUM> emit heat, thereby enabling fog or frost attached to the window lens <NUM> to melt and evaporate, and preventing the window lens <NUM> from getting moisture condensed or frosty. The heating current may be a direct current, so that no interference is caused to the waveform signal generated by the radio frequency circuit <NUM>. This ensures that a wireless communication capability of the camera device is not affected when the camera device performs a defogging operation and a defrosting operation. The heating drive circuit <NUM> may adjust temperature and a temperature change speed of the window lens <NUM> by controlling a magnitude and duration of the heating current, to keep the temperature of the window lens <NUM> within a proper range (for example, higher than zero degrees Celsius, and keep a difference between the temperature of the window lens <NUM> and ambient temperature within a preset range). Therefore, an effect of defogging and defrosting is achieved, and it can be ensured that the window lens <NUM> is not damaged due to excessively high temperature or that a structure of the window <NUM> is not damaged by overheating. The heating drive circuit <NUM> may be a common temperature control circuit in the field. Therefore, a specific circuit structure, a product specification, and the like of the heating drive circuit <NUM> are not specifically limited in this application. A person skilled in the art may select a corresponding heating drive circuit <NUM> based on factors such as a product specification of a camera device, a use environment, and a size, a thickness, and heat-resistant temperature of a window lens <NUM>. These designs and concepts that can be implemented herein do not go beyond the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

In addition, the first terminal <NUM> may be disposed at an edge of the window lens <NUM>, so that window framing of the camera device is not affected. The second terminal <NUM> may be disposed on an inner wall of the window <NUM> and close to a fixed position of the window lens <NUM>. Therefore, after the window lens <NUM> is fixed on the window <NUM>, the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are detachably connected, so that the radio frequency channel and the heating channel are in a conducting state.

According to the foregoing camera device provided above, after being processed by the radio frequency circuit <NUM>, a communication signal generated by the communications module <NUM> is sent in a form of the radio frequency signal through the window lens <NUM>. Alternatively, the window lens <NUM> receives a radio frequency signal of another wireless communications device, and sends, to the communications module <NUM>, the radio frequency signal processed by the radio frequency circuit <NUM>, to implement data exchange between the camera device and the another wireless communications device. Therefore, the housing of the camera device does not need to be provided with the antenna, and the camera device is more concealed. In addition, the heating drive circuit <NUM> can heat the window lens <NUM>, to solve a problem that the window lens of the camera device is prone to get foggy or frosty when ambient humidity is comparatively high or ambient temperature changes greatly.

<FIG> is an exploded view of a structure of a window lens of a camera device according to a non-claimed example.

According to <FIG>, the window lens <NUM> includes a lens layer <NUM> and a transparent radiation medium <NUM> attached to the lens layer <NUM>. A first terminal <NUM> is disposed at an edge of the window lens <NUM>, and is connected to the transparent radiation medium <NUM>. The lens layer <NUM> may be made of an optical material having a light transmission characteristic, for example, quartz glass, resin, sapphire (a main component is aluminum oxide), aluminum-silicon reinforced glass, or the like. The transparent radiation medium <NUM> may be made of a material such as graphene or nano silver, so that the transparent radiation medium <NUM> has electromagnetic radiation performance and power-on heating performance, and has good light transmittance. The first terminal <NUM> is connected to the transparent radiation medium <NUM>. When the first terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to a second terminal <NUM>, a radio frequency channel includes a communications module <NUM>, a radio frequency circuit <NUM>, and the transparent radiation medium <NUM>, and a heating channel includes a heating drive circuit <NUM> and the transparent radiation medium <NUM>. When the communications module <NUM> and the radio frequency circuit <NUM> work, the transparent radiation medium <NUM> transmits or receives a radio frequency signal, to implement data communication with another wireless communications device. When the heating drive circuit <NUM> works, the transparent radiation medium <NUM> emits heat (for example, the graphene is a good heat radiation medium), and the lens layer <NUM> is heated, so that fog or frost are removed from the lens layer <NUM>. This ensures that the window lens <NUM> has a capability of receiving and transmitting the radio frequency signal and a defrosting capability, and maintains the good light transmittance at the same time. In addition, manufacturing costs are reduced.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a window lens of a camera device according to this application.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a window lens of another camera device according to the first embodiment.

A transparent radiation medium <NUM> is a radiation thin layer <NUM> made of a transparent radiation material, and the radiation thin layer <NUM> is attached to one side of a lens layer <NUM> or embedded inside the lens layer <NUM>. For example, the transparent radiation material may be graphene, indium tin oxide (indium tin oxide, ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), or the like. Correspondingly, the radiation thin layer <NUM> may be a graphene thin layer, an ITO thin film, an FTO thin film, or the like. Based on a requirement that is of a communications protocol used for wireless communication and that is on an antenna form, the radiation thin layer <NUM> may be designed in various shapes, such as a rectangle, a circle, or another shape. Therefore, a shape of the radiation thin layer <NUM> is not specifically limited in this application. A person skilled in the art may independently design the shape based on a use requirement and experience. These designs and concepts that can be implemented herein do not go beyond the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, as long as the radiation thin layer <NUM> can be attached to one side of the lens layer <NUM>, the window lens <NUM> capable of receiving and transmitting a radio frequency signal can be formed. Therefore, production costs are comparatively low. In addition, if the lens layer <NUM> is accidentally damaged in use, only the lens layer <NUM> needs to be replaced, so that the camera device in this application can continue to work normally, and usage costs are reduced.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the radiation thin layer <NUM> may be directly embedded inside the lens layer <NUM> when the lens layer <NUM> is manufactured, according to the first embodiment. For example, when the lens layer <NUM> made of a resin material is formed through solute forming, the radiation thin layer <NUM> is embedded in liquid resin. Therefore, after the lens layer <NUM> is formed, the radiation thin layer <NUM> is embedded inside the lens layer <NUM>. Because the radiation thin layer <NUM> is located inside the lens layer <NUM>, when a heating drive circuit heats the radiation thin layer <NUM>, heat may be fully used by the lens layer <NUM> to improve a defrosting effect.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a window lens of still another exemplary camera device.

In <FIG>, a transparent radiation medium <NUM> is an antenna pattern <NUM> drawn by using a transparent radiation coating. For example, the transparent radiation coating may be a graphene coating, an indium tin oxide coating, a fluorine-doped tin oxide coating, nano-silver paste, or the like. The transparent radiation coating may be drawn on a surface of a lens layer <NUM> through laser engraving, spraying, hot stamping, printing, or the like, to form the antenna pattern <NUM>.

It should be additionally noted that a pattern of the antenna pattern <NUM> shown in <FIG> is merely an example. Based on a requirement that is of a communications protocol used for wireless communication and that is on an antenna form, the antenna pattern <NUM> may be drawn into various patterns. Therefore, a drawn pattern of the antenna pattern <NUM> is not specifically limited in this application. A person skilled in the art may independently design the pattern based on a use requirement and experience. These designs and concepts that can be implemented herein do not go beyond the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

In an implementation, as shown in <FIG>, the window lens <NUM> further includes a thin film base layer <NUM>. An antenna pattern <NUM> is drawn on the thin film base layer <NUM>, and the thin film base layer <NUM> is attached to one side of a lens layer <NUM>. The thin film base layer <NUM> may be made of a plastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, or flexible glass. The thin film base layer <NUM> may be sticky, for ease of being securely attached to one side of the lens layer <NUM>.

In this case, the lens layer <NUM> and the thin film base layer <NUM> may be separated. In a case in which the lens layer <NUM> is accidentally damaged, only the lens layer <NUM> needs to be replaced, so that the camera device in this application can continue to work normally, and usage costs are reduced. In addition, when a heating drive circuit <NUM> generates a heating current, heat generated by the antenna pattern <NUM> is first transferred to the thin film base layer <NUM>, and can be diffused at the thin film base layer <NUM>. Then the heat is transferred to the lens layer <NUM>, so that the lens layer <NUM> is heated evenly. This helps to improve a defogging effect and a defrosting effect.

In the second embodiment, a communications module <NUM> includes one or more of a Wi-Fi module, an LTE (long term evolution, long term evolution) module, a <NUM> NR (5th generation mobile networks new radio, new air interface technology) module, an RFID (radio frequency identification) module, and a ZigBee module, a Bluetooth module, and a radar module.

For example, the Wi-Fi module may be a Wi-Fi module that supports a single frequency band, for example, a Wi-Fi module that supports only a <NUM> frequency band, or a Wi-Fi module that supports only a <NUM> frequency band. Alternatively, the Wi-Fi module may be a Wi-Fi module that supports dual frequency bands, for example, a Wi-Fi module that supports both a <NUM> frequency band and a <NUM> frequency band. For example, a communications standard supported by the Wi-Fi module may be any one or more of <NUM>. 11a/b/g/n/ac/ax. This is not specifically limited in this application. These designs and concepts that can be implemented herein do not go beyond the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

For example, the LTE module may be compatible with the LTE standard and the LTE-A (LTE-Advanced, Long Term Evolution-Advanced technology) standard, and may be specifically compatible with a standard such as LTE-FDD (frequency division duplex) or LTE-TDD (time division duplex). This is not specifically limited in this application. These designs and concepts that can be implemented herein do not go beyond the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

For example, the RFID module may be a transponder module, configured to provide electronic code that can be identified by another RFID device. Alternatively, the RFID module may be a reader module, configured to read information from another RFID label.

For example, the Bluetooth module may be any one or more Bluetooth modules that are compatible with Bluetooth <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> standards, and provides a Bluetooth discovery function. Therefore, the Bluetooth module may be discovered by a wireless device that supports a Bluetooth communications protocol, and a connection is established.

For example, the radar module can enable a camera device to have functions such as measuring a size of a target, measuring a moving speed of the target, and measuring a distance of the target. The radar module may send an electromagnetic wave to the measured target through a window lens <NUM>, and receive a reflected electromagnetic wave of the target, to measure the size, the moving speed, and the distance of the target.

In the third embodiment, a first terminal <NUM> and a second terminal <NUM> are thin film terminals used in pairs, and the first terminal <NUM> is connected to the second terminal <NUM> by compressing. The thin film terminal is a common electrical connection component in an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. The thin film terminal is small sized and is easier to be installed in a camera device with comparatively small space of a window <NUM>. A person skilled in the art may select a thin film terminal of an appropriate specification based on factors such as a size of the space of the window <NUM>, and output power of a radio frequency circuit <NUM> and a heating drive circuit <NUM>. A specification of the thin film terminal is not specifically limited in this application.

In the fourth embodiment, a first terminal <NUM> and a second terminal <NUM> are multi-pin terminals used in pairs, and the first terminal <NUM> is connected to the second terminal <NUM> by plugging. The multi-pin terminal is a common component for an electrical connection, and has higher connection strength than the thin film terminal. Therefore, the multi-pin terminal may be applied to a camera device in a harsh working condition (for example, strong wind, frequent vibration, or device transportation), to ensure reliability of a radio frequency function and a defrosting function of the camera device.

It should be additionally noted that, in addition to the thin film terminal and the multi-pin terminal provided in the foregoing embodiments, a person skilled in the art may implement, in another connection manner, an electrical connection between the window lens <NUM> and the radio frequency circuit <NUM> and an electrical connection between the window lens <NUM> and the heating drive circuit <NUM> at the same time.

In the fifth embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> is a bullet housing, and the window panel <NUM> is disposed on a bottom surface of the bullet housing.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a camera device with a dome housing according to this application.

<FIG> is an exploded view of a window of a camera device with a dome housing according to this application.

In the sixth embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a housing <NUM> is the dome housing, and a window panel <NUM> is disposed on a tangent plane of the dome housing.

It should be further noted that, in addition to the housing forms shown in the foregoing embodiments, the camera device provided in this application may further have a plurality of other housing forms, including but not limited to a gun shape, a hemispherical shape, a multi-ocular shape, a semi-shield spherical shape, and the like.

It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply that any actual relationship or sequence exists between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise", or their any other variant is intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, a method, an article, or a device that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements but also includes other elements that are not expressly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or device.

A person skilled in the art can easily figure out another implementation solution of this application after considering the specification and practicing this application that is disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, functions, or adaptive changes of this application. These variations, functions, or adaptive changes comply with general principles of this application, and include common knowledge or a commonly used technical means in the technical field that is not disclosed in this application. The specification and the embodiments are merely considered as examples, and the actual scope of this application are pointed out by the following claims.

Claim 1:
A camera device, comprising a housing (<NUM>), and
a radio frequency circuit (<NUM>), a communications module (<NUM>), and a heating drive circuit (<NUM>) that are disposed in the housing (<NUM>); wherein
the housing (<NUM>) is provided with a window panel (<NUM>), and the window panel (<NUM>) is provided with a hole to form a window (<NUM>);
the window (<NUM>) is provided with a window lens (<NUM>) configured to wirelessly receive and transmit a radio frequency signal to implement data exchange between the camera device and another wireless communication device, and the window lens (<NUM>) is provided with a first terminal (<NUM>);
the radio frequency circuit (<NUM>) is connected to the communications module (<NUM>), and the radio frequency circuit (<NUM>) and the heating drive circuit (<NUM>) are provided with a common second terminal (<NUM>); and
the first terminal (<NUM>) is electrically connected to the second terminal (<NUM>), to form a radio frequency channel comprising the communications module (<NUM>), the radio frequency circuit (<NUM>), and the window lens (<NUM>), and a heating channel comprising the heating drive circuit (<NUM>) and the window lens (<NUM>);
wherein the window lens (<NUM>) comprises a lens layer (<NUM>) and a transparent electromagnetic radiation medium (<NUM>) attached to the lens layer (<NUM>);
the first terminal (<NUM>) is disposed at an edge of the window lens (<NUM>), and is connected to the transparent radiation medium (<NUM>); and
the transparent radiation medium (<NUM>) is a radiation thin layer (<NUM>) made of a transparent radiation material, and the radiation thin layer (<NUM>) is embedded inside the lens layer (<NUM>).