IN-GROUND CAMERA

• US 20090256914A1
• Filed: 04/09/2009
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Sports Productions, LLC (Fox Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fox Sports Productions, LLC (Fox Corporation)
• Inventors: Silverman, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 9,319,642 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/157
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for a unique camera experience, wherein the camera is placed in an in-ground position permitting recording or broadcast of a camera perspective that is along the surface of or above the surface of the ground. In an exemplary embodiment, the in-ground camera comprises high definition camera components utilizing a prism along the optical path. In another exemplary embodiment, the camera package is rotatable within its enclosure to effect adjustment of the image horizon. In another exemplary embodiment, the camera package includes an adjustable iris to effect adjustment of the exposure of the image.

Claims

1. An in-ground camera, comprising:

an in-ground, secure, recessed mounting interface; and

a camera package, the camera package including a camera iris in optical communication with an camera window via a prism;

wherein the camera package is configured to rotate within the mounting interface to adjust the image horizon as perceived by the camera.

2. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an upper surface portion, the upper surface portion operatively associated with the camera window, wherein the upper surface portion is devoid of pointed edges and provides a downwardly concave profile having a camera window, wherein the camera window and prism is configured to provide a lens view along a surface of or view upward from the surface of the ground.

3. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein the camera package includes primary camera components and a media output interface or cable.

4. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 2, wherein said upper surface portion and said camera package are detachable from said in-ground, secure recessed mounting interface.

5. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 4, wherein said in-ground, secure, recessed mounting interface comprises a base portion that is secured within a hole in the ground and that is configured to receive the upper surface portion and camera package.

6. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 5, wherein said base portion includes at least one recess for receiving at an inner enclosure, which inner enclosure houses the rotatable camera package.

7. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 6, wherein said camera package is rotatable by at least one of ball bearings and a gear in tooth mechanism.

8. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ground comprises a racetrack surface.

9. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 2, wherein said surface portion comprises a hardened material that is resistant to the forces of high-speed vehicles passing thereover.

10. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 2, wherein the camera rises a maximum distance of about 0.25 inches above the surface of the ground.

11. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 2, wherein the upper surface has a diameter of about 4 inches to provide a gentle transition between the ground surface and the top surface of the camera housing.

12. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 2, wherein the in-ground camera upper surface incorporates a microphone to provide audio with camera video.

13. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 2, wherein the in-ground camera upper surface incorporates an air or fluid spray system for cleaning the lens of the camera during use.

14. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein the in-ground camera package comprises high definition camera components.

17. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein the camera package includes high definition primary camera components and a media output interface or cable.

18. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 2, wherein said upper surface portion and said camera package are detachable from said in-ground, secure recessed mounting interface.

19. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 18, wherein said in-ground, secure, recessed mounting interface comprises a base portion that is secured within a hole in the ground and that is configured to receive the upper surface portion and camera package.

15. An in-ground camera, comprising:

an in-ground, secure, recessed mounting interface; and

a camera package, the camera package including high definition camera components having a camera iris in optical communication with an camera window via a prism.

16. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 15, further comprising an upper surface portion, the upper surface portion operatively associated with the camera window, wherein the upper surface portion is devoid of pointed edges and provides a downwardly concave profile having a camera window, wherein the camera window and prism is configured to provide a lens view along a surface of or view upward from the surface of the ground.

20. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein said ground comprises a racetrack surface.

21. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 16, wherein said surface portion comprises a hardened material that is resistant to the forces of high-speed vehicles passing thereover.

22. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 16, wherein the camera rises a maximum distance of about 0.25 inches above the surface of the ground.

23. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 16, wherein the upper surface has a diameter of about 4 inches to provide a gentle transition between the ground surface and the top surface of the camera housing.

24. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 16, wherein the in-ground camera upper surface incorporates a microphone to provide audio with camera video.

25. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 16, wherein the in-ground camera upper surface incorporates an air or fluid spray system for cleaning the lens of the camera during use.

26. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein the in-ground camera package includes an adjustable camera iris.

27. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 26, wherein the iris is adjustable via a gear in tooth configuration to adjust exposure of the image.

28. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 16, wherein lower edges of the upper surface are depressed relative to the surface of the ground.

29. An in-ground camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein the camera package is waterproof

30. An in ground camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein the mounting interface is configured to receive a dummy cap in the alternative to the camera package.