Camera assembly with concave-shaped front face

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11089187-B2
Application number	US-202016734127-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 3, 2020
Priority date	Jan 4, 2017
Publication date	Aug 10, 2021
Grant date	Aug 10, 2021

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 device, comprising:
a radially symmetric housing;
an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene;
a front face that is at least partially concave coupled to the housing, wherein the housing has an axis of symmetry that runs through the front face and wherein the front face is positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor;
one or more speakers that are configured to output audio; and
a plurality of apertures for the one or more speakers, wherein the plurality of apertures extend outward from the one or more speakers.

2. The camera device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more microphones positioned to receive audio via one or more forward-facing microphone apertures that face the field of view of the image sensor.

3. The camera device of claim 2 , further comprising 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.

4. The camera device of claim 2 , wherein the microphone apertures are in the front face.

5. The camera device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more infrared (IR) illuminators positioned within the housing to selectively illuminate the scene;
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.

6. The camera device of claim 5 , wherein the one or more IR illuminators comprise a plurality of IR illuminators that are arranged radially within the housing.

7. The camera device of claim 1 , wherein the at least partially concave front face extends around an entirety of an outer periphery of the front face that attaches to the housing.

8. The camera device of claim 1 , further comprising a visible illuminator that conveys status information of the camera device to a user.

9. The camera device of claim 8 , wherein the status information comprises an indication of:
whether the camera device is powered on; and/or
whether the camera device is communicatively connected to a network.

10. The camera device of claim 8 , wherein the visible illuminator comprises an LED.

11. The camera device of claim 1 , further comprising a base assembly that is coupled to the housing via a mechanical joint.

12. The camera device of claim 1 , further comprising a cable for powering the camera device and/or for transferring data between the camera device and a first electronic device.

13. The camera device of claim 12 , further comprising a base assembly that is coupled to the housing via a mechanical joint;
wherein the cable is insertable into the base assembly.

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

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

16. The camera device 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.

17. The camera device 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.

18. The camera device of claim 1 , wherein the at least partially concave 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 the at least partially concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and
wherein the at least partially concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

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

20. The camera device 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.

21. The camera device of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the housing includes a reset aperture, and the camera device further comprises a reset button positioned to be engaged by a user via the reset aperture.

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

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

• H04N23/52

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

• H04N23/51 Primary

  Housings · CPC title

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• H04N23/55

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