Self-leveling camera

• US 20020131781A1
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clean Line Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Clean Line Incorporated
• Inventors: Buck, John S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,611,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors

Abstract

A mechanical self-leveling camera assembly for remote positioning from a deployment position is provided. The self-leveling camera assembly comprises a camera, a weight, a camera housing, and an elongate rod for deploying the camera assembly. The camera and weight are freely rotatable within the housing about an axis such that gravitational forces maintain the rotational orientation of the camera independent of the housing. A slip ring may be included for positioning between the camera housing and the camera, for receipt of, for example, ground, power, or video wires. The camera optionally includes a light-emitting diode ring especially useful for lighting near zero ambient light environments.

Claims

1. A self-leveling camera assembly that maintains angular orientation when positioned remotely from a deployment location, the camera assembly comprising:

a camera;

a leveling weight operably attached to the camera;

a camera housing for enclosing the camera and the weight, the camera and weight together freely rotatable within the housing about an axis, the leveling weight having a center of mass displaced from the axis such that gravitational forces maintain the rotational orientation of the camera independent of the orientation of the housing; and

an elongate rod attached to the housing adapted to position the camera remotely from the deployment location.

2. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera comprises a camera body and a camera lens.

3. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 2, and further including a camera lens window.

4. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the leveling weight is tungsten.

5. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the leveling weight is lead.

6. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, and further including a slip ring positioned between the camera and the camera housing, the slip ring being configured for receiving at least one wire, the at least one wire extending through the slip ring along the elongate rod.

7. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 6, wherein the slip ring further comprises a rear half and a front half.

8. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 6, wherein the rear half of the slip ring fits on an outer race of the bearing and the front half of the slip ring fits on an inner race of the bearing.

9. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 6, wherein the rear half of the slip ring comprises at least one contact electrode and the front half of the slip ring comprises at least one circuit board trace, the at least one contact electrode being configured for contact with the at least one circuit board trace.

10. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, and further including a light window attachable to the camera housing.

11. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 10, and further including a light-emitting diode ring configured for positioning such that light from the light-emitting diode ring is transmitted through the light window.

12. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, and further including a transmitter coil, the transmitter coil being configured for enclosure by the camera housing.

13. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 12, and further including a lead wire in communication with the transmitter coil for turning on the transmitter coil.

14. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 13, and further including a slip ring attached to the bearing wherein the lead wire extends through the slip ring.

15. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the slip ring receives power, ground, and video wires.

16. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera housing is water-tight.

17. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera housing is a hardened camera housing comprising an epoxy seal, a crimp seal, and dual O-ring seals.

18. The self-leveling camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera assembly is wireless.

19. A self-leveling camera assembly that maintains angular orientation when positioned remotely from a deployment location, the camera assembly comprising:

a camera body;

a camera lens;

a leveling weight operably attached to the camera body;

a camera housing for enclosing the camera body, the camera lens and the weight, the camera body, camera lens, and weight together freely rotatable within the housing about an axis, the leveling weight having a center of mass displaced from the axis such that gravitational forces maintain the rotational orientation of the camera independent of the orientation of the housing;

a bearing positioned between the camera body and the camera housing;

a slip ring attached to the bearing, the slip ring being configured for receiving at least one wire, the at least one wire extending through the slip ring along the elongate rod;

a light source configured for receipt by the housing; and

an elongate rod attached to the housing adapted to position the camera body remotely from the deployment location.

20. A self-leveling camera assembly kit for replacing the camera head of a camera, the self-leveling camera assembly kit maintaining angular orientation of the camera when positioned remotely from a deployment location, the self-leveling camera assembly kit comprising:

a camera body;

a camera lens;

a leveling weight operably attached to the camera body, the camera body, camera lens and weight together freely rotatable within a camera housing about an axis, the leveling weight having a center of mass displaced from the axis such that gravitational forces maintain the rotational orientation of the camera body independent of the orientation of the housing.