Self-cleaning camera housings, self-cleaning camera modules, and monitoring systems comprising self-cleaning camera modules

• US 9,304,377 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2013
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agricam AB
• Original Assignee: Agricam AB
• Inventors: Eineren, Ellinor, Tollstoy, Joachim, Nelsson, Claes, Toth, Landy
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSSELMAN, JOEL W
• Application Number:
  US14/412,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20150185592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 348/373, 348/375
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/002 Details of arrangement of components in or on camera body
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A camera housing including a self-cleaning function is disclosed. More particularly, a self-cleaning camera module including a fluid based cleaning system is disclosed. A self-cleaning camera module including a fluid based cleaning system for providing accurate imaging in an uncontrolled environment is disclosed. A monitoring system including one or more self-cleaning camera modules is disclosed.

Claims

1. A camera module comprising:

a housing comprising a faceplate with an aperture;

a camera comprising an optical path, the camera comprised within the housing, oriented such that the optical path at least partially coincides with the aperture;

one or more ports coupled to the housing, configured so as to direct a cleaning fluid towards the aperture; and

a mixer in fluid communication with one or more of the ports, the mixer configured to mix a first fluid with a second fluid to form the cleaning fluid.

2. The camera module in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more channels coupled to the housing, in fluid communication with one or more of the ports, configured to direct fluid from a fluid source to one or more of the ports.

3. The camera module in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least one of the ports and/or channels is configured so as to receive a gas-based and a liquid-based cleaning fluid.

4. The camera module in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least one of the ports and/or channels is configured to accept a gas based cleaning fluid and at least one of the ports and/or channels is configured to accept a liquid based cleaning fluid.

5. The camera module in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a valve in fluid communication with one or more of the ports, the valve configured to control the flow of the cleaning fluid to the ports.

6. The camera module in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a canister, the canister in fluid communication with one or more of the ports, the canister configured to house a quantity of gas.

7. The camera module in accordance with claim 1, wherein one or more of the ports comprises a nozzle, the nozzle configured such that a fluid passing there through forms a fluid jet of a substantially controlled shape upon exiting the nozzle.

8. The camera module in accordance with claim 7, wherein the controlled shape is selected from the group consisting of a line, an ellipse, a crescent, a hemisphere, a fan, and combinations thereof.

9. A monitoring system for assessing a target comprising:

a controller configured to generate one or more control signals;

a camera module in accordance with claim 1 configured to obtain images from at least an aspect of the target and convey the images to the controller, the camera module configured to respond to the one or more control signals; and

a sensing subsystem and/or a surveillance camera configured to convey the location, orientation, and/or identification of the target to the controller, the controller configured to analyze the location, orientation, and/or identification of the target to produce the one or more control signals.

10. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the target is selected from the group consisting of a living being, an animal, a plant, a manufacturing process, a wilderness environment, a gas, and combinations thereof.

11. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the target is a cow.

12. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to generate a diagnostic signal based upon one or more of the images.

13. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the diagnostic signal is mastitis.

14. A self-cleaning window kit for installation along the optical path of a camera, comprising:

a window housing adapted to be attached to the camera such that the window provides an aperture along the optical path thereof;

one or more ports coupled to the window housing configured so as to direct a cleaning fluid passing there through onto the aperture; and

a mixer in fluid communication with the one or more of ports, the mixer configured to mix a first fluid with a second fluid to form the cleaning fluid.

15. The self-cleaning window kit in accordance with claim 14, further comprising an optically transparent window pane adapted to be coupled to the window housing, substantially coextensive with the aperture.

16. The self-cleaning window kit in accordance with claim 15, wherein the window pane is substantially transparent to infrared radiation and the camera is an infrared camera.

17. The self-cleaning window kit in accordance with claim 14, wherein the one or more ports comprises a nozzle, the nozzle configured such that a fluid passing there through forms a fluid jet of a substantially controlled shape upon exiting the nozzle.

18. The self-cleaning window kit in accordance with claim 17, wherein the controlled shape is selected from the group consisting of a line, an ellipse, a crescent, a hemisphere, a fan, and combinations thereof.