Universal security camera

• US 7,330,649 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• 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): KOVAL, MELISSA J
• Application Number:
  US11/499,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20060268435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 396/146, 396/349, 396/427, 396/428, 396/535, 396/396, 348/143, 348/151, 348/164, 348/360, 348/335, 348/357, 348/373, 348/374, 348/369, 348/E5.027
• US Class Current: 396/146
• 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. The sensor is rotatably adjustable to yield a correct image orientation depending on the turret position.

Claims

1. A turret for a camera including a lens assembly and a housing, the turret comprising:

a generally cylindrical turret body extending through a wall of the housing and having a lengthwise central axis, the generally cylindrical turret body including a forward portion projecting forwardly from an outside surface of the wall, a rear portion coaxial with the forward portion and extending rearwardly into the housing from a rear end of the forward portion, the generally cylindrical turret body being rotatable about the lengthwise central axis;

an aperture extending through the generally cylindrical turret body at an oblique angle relative to the lengthwise central axis, the aperture configured to receive the lens assembly; and

an orientation means configured to secure the lens assembly in the aperture at a view angle for monitoring a desired area.

2. The turret of claim 1 further comprising an infrared illumination source configured at a forward end of the forward portion.

3. The turret of claim 2 wherein the infrared illumination source comprises a plurality of infrared LEDs.

4. The turret of claim 2 wherein the infrared illumination source is disposed in a generally semicircular recess proximate a forward end of the aperture.

5. The turret of claim 2 further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the infrared illumination source.

6. The turret of claim 2 further comprising a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

7. The turret of claim 6 wherein the light detector is operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a predetermined level.

8. The turret of claim 1 wherein the orientation means comprises a plurality of perforations.

9. The turret of claim 8 wherein the plurality of perforations is configured about a periphery of the rear portion.

10. The turret of claim 8 wherein each perforation of the plurality is configured to receive a fastener.

11. The turret of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve extending rearwardly from the aperture, the sleeve being configured to retain the lens assembly.

12. The turret of claim 11 wherein the sleeve matingly engages the lens assembly to prevent rotation of the lens assembly in the aperture.

13. The turret of claim 12 wherein the sleeve includes at least one alignment slot, the at least one alignment slot configured to receive a pin that projects radially outward from an outer surface of the lens assembly.

14. A turret for a camera including a lens assembly and a housing, the turret comprising:

a generally cylindrical forward portion defining a central axis that is generally perpendicular to a housing surface through which the forward portion projects, the forward portion being rotatable about the central axis and including a front, generally semicircular recess;

an infrared illumination source disposed in the front, generally semicircular recess;

a generally cylindrical aperture extending through the forward portion at an oblique angle relative to the central axis, the aperture configured to receive the lens assembly and including a forward end that is configured between the central axis and a circumference of the generally cylindrical forward portion;

a generally cylindrical sleeve extending rearwardly from the generally cylindrical aperture, the sleeve configured to matingly engage the lens assembly to prevent rotation of the lens assembly in the aperture; and

a rear portion including an orientation means configured to secure the lens assembly at a view angle for monitoring a desired area.

15. The turret of claim 14 wherein the infrared illumination source comprises a plurality of infrared LEDs.

16. The turret of claim 14 further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the infrared illumination source.

17. The turret of claim 14 further comprising a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

18. The turret of claim 17 wherein the light detector is operable to actuate the infrared illumination source when visible light is below a predetermined level.

19. The turret of claim 14 wherein the orientation means comprises a plurality of perforations configured about a periphery of the rear portion, each perforation of the plurality being configured to receive a fastener.

20. The turret of claim 14 wherein the sleeve includes at least one alignment slot that is configured to receive a pin that projects radially outward from an outer surface of the lens assembly.