Universal security camera

• US 6,824,317 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thales Avionics Incorporated (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Thales Avionics Incorporated (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Grich, Richard, Bengoechea, Xavier, Finizio, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US10/164,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 396/427, 348/150-152, 348/143
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19626 optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1965 the vehicle being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• 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 security camera has an adjustable turret that holds a lens assembly which can be aimed in various directions. The camera also has a compact housing which, in combination with the adjustable directionality of the turret, enables universal mounting to various structures and positions in an aircraft cabin. The camera operates in light and dark conditions, as the lens assembly is configured to focus visible and infrared light wavelengths onto a fixed focal plane. In an embodiment, the camera includes an infrared illumination source to illuminate a field of view during dark conditions. The lens assembly includes a rigid barrel with a pinhole aperture through which light enters a series of lens elements. An optical sensor is mounted to an opposite end of the barrel at the fixed focal plane to generate an electronic image signal, and the sensor is rotatably adjustable to yield a correct image orientation depending on the turret position.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing for relative rotation about a turret axis;

a lens assembly mounted to the turret, the lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis, the lens assembly further including a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally alone the optical axis, and a pinhole aperture defined within a tip of the barrel at an object end of the lens elements; and

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the sensor being rotatably adjustable about the optical axis relative to the lens assembly.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor includes:

a sensor PCB;

a charge coupled device mounted on the sensor PCB, the charge coupled device operable to convert light to an electronic signal;

wherein the optical sensor is fixed relative to the barrel so that the charge coupled device is positioned at the focal plane.

3. The camera of claim 2, further including a support member fixed to the barrel, wherein the sensor PCB is mounted to the support member.

4. The camera of claim 3, wherein the support member includes a locking nut that is threaded to the barrel, the locking nut holding the support member axially against the barrel in a selected orientation relative to the optical axis.

5. The camera of claim 1, further comprising a window mounted to the turret perpendicular to the turret axis, the lens assembly closely spaced from an interior side of the window.

6. The camera of claim 5 wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

7. The camera of claim 1, wherein:

the lens elements are positioned in a series along the optical axis; and

the lens elements are configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a fixed focal plane on a side of the lens elements opposite the pinhole aperture.

8. The camera of claim 7, further comprising an infrared illumination source mounted to the turret to provide infrared illumination.

9. The camera of claim 8, further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the source from passing to an exterior of the camera.

10. The camera of claim 8 wherein the camera includes a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

11. The camera of claim 10, wherein the light detector is operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a predetermined level.

12. The lens assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the turret projects outwardly from the housing.

13. The camera of claim 1, wherein:

the optical sensor is manually rotatable to an orientation about the optical axis related to an orientation of the turret about the turret axis.

14. A security camera operable to generate a video signal to monitor a view area in light or dark visible light conditions, comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing, the turret is generally cylindrical and has a front portion of the turret projecting frontwardly from a front panel of the housing and a rear portion recessed rearwardly from the front panel into an interior cavity of the housing, and the turret is secured to a bracket fixed to the housing and rotatably adjustable relative to the housing about a turret axis to a selected position;

a lens assembly, mounted within the turret, and being operable to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths on the same optical sensor, the lens assembly being further configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a single, fixed focal plane, and the lens assembly includes a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along a central optical axis, and an aperture defined in a tip of the barrel at an object end of the series of lens elements;

an infrared illumination source; and

a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a certain level.

15. The camera of claim 14, further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the source from passing to an exterior of the camera.

16. The camera of claim 14, further comprising an optical sensor having a charge coupled device mounted at the fixed focal plane, the charge coupled device operable to convert light at the fixed focal plane to an electronic signal.

17. The camera of claim 16 wherein the optical sensor is mounted relative to the lens assembly so that the optical sensor is rotatably adjustable relative to the optical axis.

18. The camera of claim 14, wherein the series of lens elements includes at least one achromatic doublet.

19. The camera of claim 14, wherein the lens assembly is mounted so that the central optical axis is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis.

20. The camera of claim 14, the rear portion of the turret having a plurality of perforations disposed therein, the turret being mounted to the bracket by a fastener extending through at least one of the perforations aligned with the bracket at a selected rotational position of the turret.

21. The camera of claim 14, further comprising a window mounted to the turret perpendicular to the turret axis at an exterior side of the lens assembly.

22. The camera of claim 21, wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

23. The camera of claim 14, wherein:

the housing defines an interior cavity, and the housing has a front opening to the interior cavity; and

the camera further comprises a platform having a recessed portion to which the lens assembly and illumination source are mounted, wherein the platform is mounted to the housing against the front opening so that the recessed portion, lens assembly and illumination source are recessed within the interior cavity.

24. The camera of claim 20, further comprising:

a generally planar front cover mounted to a platform across a front side of the camera;

a window mounted within an opening of the front cover to protect the lens assembly.

25. The camera of claim 24, wherein the lens assembly is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the front cover.

26. A lens assembly comprising:

a series of lens elements aligned along an optical axis;

a barrel to hold the plurality of lens elements; and

an aperture formed in the barrel at an object side of the series of lens elements on the optical axis;

wherein the series of lens elements are configured to focus visible and infrared wavelengths of light on a single, fixed focal plane at a side of the plurality of lens elements opposite the aperture; and

wherein the aperture has a diameter of less than about one mm.

27. The lens assembly of claim 26, wherein the aperture has a diameter of about 0.802 mm.

28. The lens assembly of claim 26, wherein the visible and infrared wavelengths range from about 400 to about 1000 mm.

29. The lens assembly of claim 26, wherein the lens elements include at least one achromatic doublet.

30. The lens assembly of claim 29, wherein the achromatic doublet includes a pair of the optical elements having a complementary shape and bonded together.

31. The lens assembly of claim 26, further comprising a sensor device located at the fixed focal plane for converting light at the fixed focal plane to an electronic image signal.

32. A camera comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing for relative rotation about a turret axis;

a lens assembly mounted to the turret, the lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis, and the lens assembly includes a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along the optical axis, and a pinhole aperture defined within a tip of the barrel at an object end of the lens elements; and

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the sensor being rotatably adjustable relative to the optical axis.

33. A camera comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing for relative rotation about a turret axis;

a lens assembly mounted to the turret, the lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis, and the lens assembly includes a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along the optical axis, and an aperture defined within a tip of the barrel at an object end of the lens elements; and

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the sensor being rotatably adjustable relative to the optical axis;

wherein the aperture has a diameter of less than one millimeter.

34. The camera of claim 33, wherein the aperture has a diameter of about 0.802 mm.

35. A camera comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing for relative rotation about a turret axis;

a lens assembly mounted to the turret, the lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis, and the lens assembly includes a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along the optical axis, and an aperture defined within a tip of the barrel at an object end of the lens elements;

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the sensor being rotatably adjustable relative to the optical axis; and

a window mounted to the turret perpendicular to the turret axis, the lens assembly closely spaced from an interior side of the window.

36. The camera of claim 35 wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

37. A security camera operable to generate a video signal to monitor a view area in light or dark visible light conditions, comprising:

a lens assembly operable to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a single, fixed focal plane, the lens assembly including a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along a central optical axis, an aperture defined in a tip of the barrel at an object end of the series of lens elements;

an infrared illumination source;

a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a certain level;

a housing; and

a turret mounted to the housing, the lens assembly being mounted within the turret, the turret being rotatably adjustable relative to the housing about a turret axis to a selected position, the turret being generally cylindrical, the turret having a front portion of the turret projecting frontwardly from a front panel of the housing, the turret having a rear portion recessed rearwardly from the front panel into an interior cavity of the housing, the turret being secured to a bracket fixed to the housings the rear portion of the turret having a plurality of perforations disposed therein, the turret being mounted to the bracket by a fastener extending through at least one of the perforations aligned with the bracket at a selected rotational position of the turret.

38. The camera of claim 37, further comprising:

a generally planar front cover mounted to the platform across a front side of the camera; and

a window mounted within an opening of the front cover to protect the lens assembly.

39. The camera of claim 38, wherein the lens assembly is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the front cover.

40. A security camera operable to generate a video signal to monitor a view area in light or dark visible light conditions, comprising:

a lens assembly mounted in a turret and operable to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a single, fixed focal plane, the lens assembly including a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along a central optical axis, and an aperture defined in a tip of the barrel at an object end of the series of lens elements;

an infrared illumination source;

a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a certain level; and

a window mounted to the turret perpendicular to a turret axis at an exterior side of the lens assembly.

41. The camera of claim 40, wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

42. A camera comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing for relative rotation about a turret axis;

a lens assembly mounted to the turret, the lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis, the lens assembly further including a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along the optical axis, and an aperture defined within a tip of the barrel at an object end of the lens elements, the aperture having a diameter of less than one millimeter; and

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the sensor being rotatably adjustable about the optical axis relative to the lens assembly.

43. The camera of claim 42, wherein the aperture has a diameter of about 0.802 mm.

44. The camera of claim 42, wherein the optical sensor includes:

a sensor PCB;

a charge coupled device mounted on the sensor PCB, the charge coupled device operable to convert light to an electronic signal;

wherein the optical sensor is fixed relative to the barrel so that the charge coupled device is positioned at the focal plane.

45. The camera of claim 44, further including a support member fixed to the barrel, wherein the sensor PCB is mounted to the support member.

46. The camera of claim 45, wherein the support member includes a locking nut that is threaded to the barrel, the locking nut holding the support member axially against the barrel in a selected orientation relative to the optical axis.

47. The camera of claim 42, further comprising a window mounted to the turret perpendicular to the turret axis, the lens assembly closely spaced from an interior side of the window.

48. The camera of claim 47 wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

54. The lens assembly of claim 42, wherein at least a portion of the turret projects outwardly from the housing.

55. The camera of claim 42, wherein:

the optical sensor is manually rotatable to an orientation about the optical axis related to an orientation of the turret about the turret axis.

49. The camera of claim 49, wherein

the lens elements are positioned in a series along the optical axis;

and

the lens elements are configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a fixed focal plane on a side of the lens elements opposite the aperture.

50. The camera of claim 49, further comprising an infrared illumination source mounted to the turret to provide infrared illumination.

51. The camera of claim 50, further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the source from passing to an exterior of the camera.

52. The camera of claim 50 wherein the camera includes a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

53. The camera of claim 52, wherein the light detector is operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a predetermined level.

56. A camera comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing for relative rotation about a turret axis;

a lens assembly mounted to the turret, the lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis, the lens assembly further including a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along the optical axis, and an aperture defined within a tip of the barrel at an object end of the lens elements; and

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the sensor being rotatably adjustable about the optical axis relative to the lens assembly; and

a window mounted to the turret perpendicular to the turret axis, the lens assembly closely spaced from an interior side of the window.

57. The camera of claim 56, wherein the optical sensor includes:

a sensor PCB;

a charge coupled device mounted on the sensor PCB, the charge coupled device operable to convert light to an electronic signal;

wherein the optical sensor is fixed relative to the barrel so that the charge coupled device is positioned at the focal plane.

58. The camera of claim 57, further including a support member fixed to the barrel, wherein the sensor PCB is mounted to the support member.

59. The camera of claim 58, wherein the support member includes a locking nut that is threaded to the barrel, the locking nut holding the support member axially against the barrel in a selected orientation relative to the optical axis.

60. The camera of claim 56 wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

61. The camera of claim 56, wherein

the lens elements are positioned in a series along the optical axis;

and

the lens elements are configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a fixed focal plane on a side of the lens elements opposite the aperture.

62. The camera of claim 61, further comprising an infrared illumination source mounted to the turret to provide infrared illumination.

63. The camera of claim 62, further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the source from passing to an exterior of the camera.

64. The camera of claim 62, wherein the camera includes a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

65. The camera of claim 64, wherein the light detector is operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a predetermined level.

66. The lens assembly of claim 56, wherein at least a portion of the turret projects outwardly from the housing.

67. The camera of claim 56, wherein:

the optical sensor is manually rotatable to an orientation about the optical axis related to an orientation of the turret about the turret axis.

68. The camera of claim 60, wherein:

the optical sensor is manually rotatable to an orientation about the optical axis related to an orientation of the turret about the turret axis.

69. A camera comprising:

a housing;

a turret mounted to the housing for relative rotation about a turret axis, at least a portion of the turret projecting outwardly from the housing;

a lens assembly mounted to the turret, the lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis; and

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the sensor being rotatably adjustable about the optical axis relative to the lens assembly.

70. The camera of claim 69, wherein the optical sensor includes:

a sensor PCB;

a charge coupled device mounted on the sensor PCB, the charge coupled device operable to convert light to an electronic signal;

wherein the optical sensor is fixed relative to the barrel so that the charge coupled device is positioned at the focal plane.

71. The camera of claim 70, further including a support member fixed to the barrel, wherein the sensor PCB is mounted to the support member.

72. The camera of claim 71, wherein the support member includes a locking nut that is threaded to the barrel, the locking nut holding the support member axially against the barrel in a selected orientation relative to the optical axis.

73. The camera of claim 69 wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

74. The camera of claim 69, wherein

the lens elements are positioned in a series along the optical axis;

and

the lens elements are configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a fixed focal plane on a side of the lens elements opposite the aperture.

75. The camera of claim 74, further comprising an infrared illumination source mounted to the turret to provide infrared illumination.

76. The camera of claim 75, further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the source from passing to an exterior of the camera.

77. The camera of claim 75, wherein the camera includes a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

78. The camera of claim 77, wherein the light detector is operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a predetermined level.

79. A security camera operable to generate a video signal to monitor a view area in light or dark visible light conditions, comprising:

a lens assembly mounted within a turret and operable to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths on the same optical sensor, the lens assembly being further configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a single, fixed focal plane, and the lens assembly includes a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along a central optical axis, and an aperture defined in a tip of the barrel at an object end of the series of lens elements;

an infrared illumination source;

a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a certain level; and

a window mounted to the turret perpendicular to the turret axis at an exterior side of the lens assembly.

80. The camera of claim 79, wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

81. The camera of claim 79, further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the source from passing to an exterior of the camera.

82. The camera of claim 79, further comprising an optical sensor having a charge coupled device mounted at the fixed focal plane, the charge coupled device operable to convert light at the fixed focal plane to an electronic signal.

83. The camera of claim 82, wherein the optical sensor is mounted relative to the lens assembly so that the optical sensor is rotatably adjustable relative to the optical axis.

84. The camera of claim 79, wherein the series of lens elements includes at least one achromatic doublet.

85. The camera of claim 79, further comprising:

a housing; and

wherein the turret is mounted to the housing, and the lens assembly is mounted within the turret, the turret being rotatably adjustable relative to the housing about a turret axis to a selected position.

86. The camera of claim 85, wherein the lens assembly is mounted so that the central optical axis is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis.

87. The camera of claim 85, wherein the turret is generally cylindrical, the turret having a front portion of the turret projecting frontwardly from a front panel of the housing, the turret having a rear portion recessed rearwardly from the front panel into an interior cavity of the housing, the turret being secured to a bracket fixed to the housing, the rear portion of the turret having a plurality of perforations disposed therein, the turret being mounted to the bracket by a fastener extending through at least one of the perforations aligned with the bracket at a selected rotational position of the turret.

88. The camera of claim 79, further comprising:

a housing defining an interior cavity, the housing having a front opening to the interior cavity; and

a platform having a recessed portion to which the lens assembly and illumination source are mounted, wherein the platform is mounted to the housing against the front opening so that the recessed portion, lens assembly and illumination source are recessed within the interior cavity.

89. The camera of claim 87, further comprising:

a generally planar front cover mounted to the platform across a front side of the camera;

a window mounted within an opening of the front cover to protect the lens assembly.

90. The camera of claim 89, wherein the lens assembly is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the front cover.

91. A security camera operable to generate a video signal to monitor a view area in light or dark visible light conditions, comprising:

a lens assembly operable to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths on the same optical sensor, the lens assembly being further configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a single, fixed focal plane, and the lens assembly includes a rigid barrel, a series of lens elements mounted within the barrel generally along a central optical axis, and an aperture defined in a tip of the barrel at an object end of the series of lens elements;

an infrared illumination source;

a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a certain level;

a housing defining an interior cavity, the housing having a front opening to the interior cavity; and

a platform having a recessed portion to which the lens assembly and illumination source are mounted, wherein the platform is mounted to the housing against the front opening so that the recessed portion, lens assembly and illumination source are recessed within the interior cavity.

92. The camera of claim 91, further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the source from passing to an exterior of the camera.

93. The camera of claim 91 further comprising an optical sensor having a charge coupled device mounted at the fixed focal plane, the charge coupled device operable to convert light at the fixed focal plane to an electronic signal.

94. The camera of claim 93 wherein the optical sensor is mounted relative to the lens assembly so that the optical sensor is rotatably adjustable relative to the optical axis.

95. The camera of claim 91, wherein the series of lens elements includes at least one achromatic doublet.

96. The camera of claim 91, further comprising:

a housing; and

wherein the turret is mounted to the housing, and the lens assembly is mounted within the turret, the turret being rotatably adjustable relative to the housing about a turret axis to a selected position.

97. The camera of claim 96, wherein the lens assembly is mounted so that the central optical axis is at an oblique angle relative to the turret axis.

98. The camera of claim 96, wherein the turret is generally cylindrical, the turret having a front portion of the turret projecting frontwardly from a front panel of the housing, the turret having a rear portion recessed rearwardly from the front panel into an interior cavity of the housing, the turret being secured to a bracket fixed to the housing, the rear portion of the turret having a plurality of perforations disposed therein, the turret being mounted to the bracket by a fastener extending through at least one of the perforations aligned with the bracket at a selected rotational position of the turret.

99. The camera of claim 91, wherein the tip of the barrel has a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the aperture is located, the beveled wall positioned closely to the window.

100. The camera of claim 98, further comprising:

a generally planar front cover mounted to the platform across a front side of the camera;

a window mounted within an opening of the front cover to protect the lens assembly.

101. The camera of claim 100, wherein the lens assembly is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the front cover.