Universal security camera

• US 7,649,696 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thales Avionics Incorporated (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Thales Avionics Incorporated (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Grich, Richard, Bengoechea, Xavier, Finizio, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack; Ricky L
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, VIPIN
• Application Number:
  US11/499,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20060268116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 396147-287, 396/146, 396/324, 396/374, 396/348, 396/529, 359703-704, 359819-823
• US Class Current: 359/703
• 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 rear housing portion including a front opening, the rear housing portion defining an internal cavity;

a generally planar front cover including a window, the generally planar front cover configured to cover the front opening;

a platform including a lens assembly having a central optical axis that is at an oblique angle relative to a surface of the window, the lens assembly including a 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 optical sensor being adjustable about the optical axis to any angle relative to the lens assembly, the lens elements of the series configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths on the optical sensor.

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

a sensor PCB; and

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 1 wherein the tip of the barrel includes a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the pinhole aperture is located, the beveled wall being positionable close to the window.

4. The camera of claim 1 wherein the platform further comprises an infrared illumination source to provide infrared illumination.

5. The camera of claim 4 further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the infrared illumination source from passing through the window.

6. The camera of claim 5 wherein the window comprises the filter.

7. The camera of claim 4 further comprising a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

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

9. The camera of claim 1 wherein the platform comprises:

a first portion substantially parallel to the generally planar front cover; and

a second portion recessed relative to the first portion and including a wall configured obliquely relative to a surface of the first portion,

wherein the lens assembly is mounted to the wall.

10. A camera comprising:

a generally parallelepiped-shaped housing including a rear wall having a first wall portion and a second wall portion configured obliquely relative to the first wall portion, and a window parallel to the first wall portion;

a platform distinct and separate from the housing and configured for enclosure in the housing, the platform including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured substantially parallel to the window and the first wall portion, and the second portion including a wall extending obliquely relative to the first portion toward the first wall portion, the wall being parallel to the second wall portion; and

a lens assembly mounted to the wall and having a central optical axis that is configured at an oblique angle relative to the first wall portion and the window, the lens assembly including a 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,

wherein the lens assembly is operable to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths at a single, fixed focal plane.

11. The camera of claim 10 further comprising an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at the focal plane of the lens assembly, the optical sensor being rotatably adjustable about the optical axis to any angle relative to the lens assembly.

12. The camera of claim 11 wherein the optical sensor comprises:

a sensor PCB; and

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.

13. The camera of claim 10 wherein the tip of the barrel includes a beveled wall, the wall tapering inwardly toward a distal end of the tip in which the pinhole aperture is located, the beveled wall being positionable close to the window.

14. The camera of claim 10 further comprises an infrared illumination source mounted to the platform proximate the lens assembly.

15. The camera of claim 14 further comprising a filter to block visible wavelengths of light generated by the infrared illumination source from passing through the window.

16. The camera of claim 15 wherein the window comprises the filter.

17. The camera of claim 14 wherein the camera includes a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.

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

19. A camera comprising:

a generally parallelepiped-shaped housing including a front side having a window;

a platform configured for enclosure in the housing, the platform including a generally planar portion and a recessed portion that depends rearwardly from the generally planar portion;

a lens assembly mounted to the recessed portion and having a central optical axis that is configured at an oblique angle relative to a surface of the window, the lens assembly including a 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,

an optical sensor mounted to the lens assembly generally at a focal plane of the lens assembly, the optical sensor being adjustable about the optical axis to any angle relative to the lens assembly, the lens elements of the series configured to focus light of visible and infrared wavelengths on the optical sensor;

an infrared illumination source mounted to the recessed portion proximate the lens assembly; and

a light detector operable to actuate the infrared illumination source during a predetermined light condition.