TRACK-MOUNT WIRELESS CAMERA FIXTURE

• US 20140055611A1
• Filed: 08/21/2013
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OJO Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: OJO Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Wong, Angie, Nakamura, Ken, Rubin, Kim
• Granted Patent: US 9,357,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A wireless camera fixture adapted to mount on a track, such as a track normally used for overhead lighting fixtures, is described. Embodiments include the use of IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol, the use of a standard track-mount power supply; the use of a two-axis tilt and pan mechanical mount; hardware to permit horizon correction; modifications to a camera enclosure to support an antenna inside the enclosure and access to camera controls; use of multiple antennas; use of a cover plate at the front of the enclosure; use of visible light or infrared light LEDs on the cover plate; configuration to use dual-circuit tracks; use of separate circuits in the track to power the visible light and infrared light LEDs separately. A method of manufacturing the fixture is described.

Claims

1. A wireless camera fixture comprising:

a mechanical base adapted to mount in a track, wherein the track is adapted to provide power and mechanical support for at least one track-mounted lighting fixture;

a mechanical enclosure, attached movably to the base;

a video camera, located in the enclosure, powered via the base; and

a wireless module, electrically connected to the video camera, adapted to transmit video data from the camera via a wireless protocol.

2. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 further wherein:

the camera fixture is free of external cables.

3. The wireless camera of claim 1 further comprising:

a mechanical joint, located between the base and the enclosure, adapted to permit the enclosure to rotate in at least two distinct axes relative to the base.

4. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 further comprising:

a cover plate adapted to attach to an opening in the enclosure, wherein the cover plate comprises an opening through which the video camera lens may view.

5. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 wherein:

the base is a component approved for use with a track and a track-mountable light fixture.

6. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 wherein:

the base comprises a power supply that converts the track voltage to a lower voltage, and wherein the video camera is powered via this lower voltage.

7. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 further comprising:

one or more visible light LEDs that project light generally along the optical axis of the video camera.

8. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 wherein:

one or more infrared (IR) light LEDs that project light generally along the optical axis of the video camera.

9. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 wherein:

one or more visible light LEDs that project light generally along the optical axis of the video camera; and

one or more infrared (IR) light LEDs that project light generally along the optical axis of the video camera.

10. The wireless camera fixture of claim 9 wherein:

the visible light LEDs are adapted to be powered from a first track circuit and the IR LEDs are adapted to be powered from a second track circuit.

11. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 wherein:

the enclosure is adapted to accept one of a plurality of removable cover plates and wherein at least one cover plate provides illumination elements suitable to illuminate a scene visible by the video camera.

12. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 further comprising:

a rotatable mechanical joint such that the video camera may be rotated around its optical axis.

13. The wireless camera fixture of claim 12 wherein:

the rotatable mechanical joint also mounts the video camera in the enclosure.

14. The wireless camera fixture of claim 1 further comprising:

a second power supply, located inside the enclosure, whose input power comes from the base and whose output power goes to the video camera.

15. A system comprising:

the wireless camera fixture of claim 1; and

the track of claim 1;

wherein the wireless camera fixture is installed operationally in the track.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

at least one light fixture installed in the track.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein:

the track comprises two circuits and wherein the light fixture operates from a first track circuit and the wireless camera fixture operates from the second light circuit.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein:

the enclosure comprises substantially the same shape, color and size as an enclosure used by the at least one light fixture.

19. A method of manufacturing the wireless camera fixture of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

selecting the base such that the base was originally designed and approved for use in a lighting system and selecting the enclosure such that the enclosure was originally designed and approved for use in a lighting system;

selecting an IP video camera that fits within the selected enclosure;

modifying the enclosure to permit access to the rear of the IP video camera; and

connecting the base to the enclosure and installing the IP video camera in the enclosure such that the IP video camera is powered via the base.

20. The method of manufacturing of claim 19 comprising the additional step of:

installing a power supply internally in the enclosure such at the power supply is electrically between the base and the IP video camera.