Miniature Camera Module

• US 20110128347A1
• Filed: 11/30/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vecna Technologies, Inc
• Original Assignee: Vecna Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Theobald, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/626,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20110128347A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules

Abstract

A camera module having a housing having a predetermined periphery with a plurality of cameras secured within the periphery of the housing, each camera having a lens positioned to have a desired field of view to the exterior of the housing and electrical communication elements within the housing for providing electrical communication between the cameras to the exterior of the housing.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising:

a housing having a predetermined periphery;

a plurality of cameras secured within the periphery of the housing, each camera having a lens positioned to have a desired field of view to the exterior of the housing; and

electrical communication elements within the housing for providing electrical communication between the cameras to the exterior of the housing.

2. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing has at least one planar surface for mounting of the module against another surface.

3. The module as defined in claim 1, where data streams of each camera are combined within the housing and one composite data stream is transmitted to the exterior of the housing.

4. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the fields of view can be combined to provide up to a 180 degree hemispherical view about the housing.

5. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing is a substantially hemispherical shaped housing and a flat portion of the housing can be secured against the surface of an object.

6. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing is a low profile design to prevent potential interference with other objects.

7. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein each field of view of each camera lens overlaps with the field of view of at least 4 other fields of view from other camera lens.

8. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the module is designed to have an inconspicuous shape.

9. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the module is designed as a completely self-contained module for use as a stand-alone device that can readily be implemented and/or interchanged as desired.

10. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the module is designed to have an oblique shape.

11. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the module is designed to have an unobtrusive shape.

12. A camera module, comprising:

a housing having a predetermined periphery and a plurality of apertures therethrough positioned in a predetermined pattern;

a plurality of cameras secured within the confines of the housing, one camera for each aperture and each camera having a lens positioned to have a desired field of view through a respective aperture to the exterior of the housing; and

electrical communication elements within the housing for providing electrical communication between the cameras to the exterior of the housing.

13. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the housing has at least one planar surface for mounting of the module against another surface.

14. The module as defined in claim 12, where data streams of each camera are combined within the housing and one composite data stream is transmitted to the exterior of the housing.

15. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the fields of view can be combined to provide up to a 180 degree hemispherical view about the housing.

16. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the housing is a substantially hemispherical shaped housing and a flat portion of the housing can be secured against the surface of an object.

17. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the housing is a low profile design to prevent potential interference with other objects.

18. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein each field of view of each camera lens overlaps with the field of view of at least 4 other fields of view from other camera lens.

19. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the module is designed to have an inconspicuous shape.

20. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the module is designed as a completely self-contained module for use as a stand-alone device that can readily be implemented and/or interchanged as desired.

21. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the module is designed to have an oblique shape.

22. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the module is designed to have an unobtrusive shape.

23. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein each view can be separately viewed.

24. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the housing is designed to be positioned proximate to a surface to eliminate any potential blind spots proximate the surface.

25. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the centerline of each field of view of each camera is positioned non-parallel with respect to the centerlines of every other camera field of view.

26. The module as defined in claim 12 wherein the centerline of each field of view of each camera is positioned non-perpendicular with respect to the centerlines of every other camera field of view.