Camera assembly with concave-shaped front face

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10530974-B2
Application number	US-201816144756-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 27, 2018
Priority date	Jan 4, 2017
Publication date	Jan 7, 2020
Grant date	Jan 7, 2020

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; 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 has a concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene; and
a concave-shaped front face coupled to the housing and 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 concave shape of the front face extends around an entirety of an outer periphery of the front face that attaches to the housing.

2. 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.

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

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

5. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene; and
a concave-shaped front face coupled to the housing and 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 has the concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery and an inner section of the front face is separated from an outer section of the front face by a bounding component, the bounding component configured to inhibit transmission of light from the outer section to the inner section.

6. The camera assembly of claim 5 , wherein the configuration of the housing and the front face is further configured to inhibit direct sunlight from entering the image sensor.

7. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene;
a concave-shaped front face coupled to the housing and positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; and
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;
wherein the front face has the concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery.

8. The camera assembly of claim 7 , wherein an outer surface of an inner section of the front face is substantially flat.

9. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene;
a concave-shaped front face coupled to the housing and positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; and
a visible illuminator configured to convey status information of the camera assembly to a user;
wherein the front face has the concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery;
wherein the front face is positioned in front of the visible illuminator such that light from the visible illuminator is directed through an outer section of the front face; and
wherein the outer section includes a portion corresponding the visible illuminator, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light.

10. The camera assembly of claim 9 , 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 an inner section of the front face is substantially transparent to IR and visible light; and
wherein an outer section of the front face 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 an 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. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene;
a concave-shaped front face coupled to the housing and positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; and
an ambient light sensor configured to detect ambient light corresponding to the scene;
wherein the front face has the concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery;
wherein the front face is positioned in front of the ambient light sensor such that light from the scene passes through an outer section of the front face 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.

14. The camera assembly of claim 13 , wherein an outer section of the front face is composed of a plastic; and
wherein an inner section of the front face is composed of a glass.

15. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene; and
a concave-shaped front face coupled to the housing and 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 has the concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery;
wherein an 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.

16. The camera assembly of claim 15 , wherein an inner section of the front face is bonded to the outer section of the front face via a waterproof adhesive.

17. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene; and
a concave-shaped front face coupled to the housing and 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 has the concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery;
wherein 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.

18. The camera assembly of claim 17 , 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.

19. A camera assembly, comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor positioned within

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
• Conner Brian
• Mullins Scott

Classifications

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• 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

• H04N23/52

  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