Camera assembly with concave-shaped front face

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10277785-B2
Application number	US-201715710770-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2017
Priority date	Jan 4, 2017
Publication date	Apr 30, 2019
Grant date	Apr 30, 2019

Abstract

The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera assembly adapted for use in a smart home environment, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and
a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor;
wherein the front face includes:
an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and
an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and

wherein the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

2. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the configuration of the housing and the front face is further configured to inhibit direct sunlight from entering the image sensor.

3. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front face is configured to inhibit water accumulation on the front face while the camera assembly is oriented in a downward position.

4. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing and the front face are symmetrical around a central axis.

5. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front face is further configured to inhibit water entry into the camera assembly.

6. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the inner section is substantially flat.

7. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer section is composed of a plastic; and
wherein the inner section is composed of a glass.

8. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner section is bonded to the outer section via a waterproof adhesive.

9. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner section is separated from the outer section by a bounding component, the bounding component configured to inhibit transmission of light from the outer section to the inner section.

10. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more infrared (IR) illuminators configured to selectively illuminate the scene; and
wherein the front face is positioned in front of the one or more IR illuminators such that light from the one or more IR illuminators is directed through the front face.

11. The camera assembly of claim 10 , wherein the inner section is substantially transparent to IR and visible light; and
wherein at least a portion of the outer section is coated with a thin film that is substantially transparent to IR light and substantially opaque to visible light.

12. The camera assembly of claim 10 , wherein one or more IR illuminators are configured to emit a particular wavelength of IR light; and
wherein at least a portion of the outer section of the front face is coated with a thin film that is substantially transparent to the particular wavelength of IR light and substantially opaque to visible light.

13. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting assembly configured to thermally couple the image sensor to the front face such that heat from the image sensor is dissipated to the front face.

14. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an anti-reflection coating applied to the front face.

15. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a visible illuminator configured to convey status information of the camera assembly to a user;
wherein the front face is positioned in front of the visible illuminator such that light from the visible illuminator is directed through the outer section; and
wherein the outer section includes a portion corresponding the visible illuminator, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light.

16. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect ambient light corresponding to the scene;
wherein the front face is positioned in front of the ambient light sensor such that light from the scene passes through the outer section prior to entering the ambient light sensor; and
wherein the outer section includes a portion corresponding the ambient light sensor, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light.

17. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing ring positioned between the front face and the housing so as to inhibit water entry into an interior of the camera assembly.

18. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer section of the front face includes one or more microphone apertures; and
wherein the camera assembly further comprises:
one or more microphones positioned to receive audio via the one or more microphone apertures; and
one or more membranes positioned between the one or more microphones and the one or more microphone apertures, the one or more membranes configured to inhibit water entry into an interior of the camera assembly via the one or more microphone apertures.

19. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer section of the front face includes a reset aperture; and
wherein the camera assembly further comprises:
a reset button positioned to be engaged by a user via the reset aperture; and
a sealant positioned between the reset button and the reset aperture, the sealant configured to inhibit water entry into an interior of the camera assembly via the reset aperture.

20. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of illuminators configured to convey information to persons in a vicinity of the camera assembly; and
a light guide configured to direct light from the plurality of illuminators outward through the outer section of the front face.

Assignees

• Google Llc

Inventors

• Kraz Mark
• Booth Kevin Edward
• Wilson Tyler Scott
• Webb Nicholas
• Goulden Jason Evans
• Dong William
• Law Jeffrey
• Jacob Rochus
• Mittleman Adam Duckworth
• Mueller Oliver
• Mullins Scott
• Conner Brian

Classifications

• H04R27/00 Primary

  Public address systems (circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; {monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007}; amplifiers H03F) · CPC title

• H04N23/51 Primary

  Housings · CPC title

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• H04N23/52

  Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title