In-ground camera

• US 9,319,643 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2013
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Sports Productions, LLC (Fox Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fox Sports Productions, Inc. (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Silverman, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): Hussain, Imad
• Application Number:
  US14/091,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20140078309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 348/157
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for a unique camera experience, wherein the camera is placed in an in-ground position permitting recording or broadcast of a camera perspective that is along the surface of or above the surface of the ground. In an exemplary embodiment, the in-ground camera is secured within the surface of a racetrack.

Claims

1. An in-ground camera system, comprising:

an in-ground, secure, recessed mounting interface;

an upper surface portion, the upper surface portion operatively associated with a camera lens, primary camera components, and a media output interface or cable, wherein the upper surface portion is devoid of pointed edges and provides a downwardly concave profile having a lens and lens viewing cutout, wherein the lens and lens viewing cutout is configured to provide a lens view along a surface of or view upward from the surface of the ground; and

wherein the outer periphery of the upper surface is fixedly recessed with regard to the surface of the ground.

2. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said upper surface portion and said primary camera components are detachable from said in-ground, secure recessed mounting interface.

3. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said in-ground, secure, recessed mounting interface comprises a base portion that is secured within a hole in the ground and that is configured to receive the upper surface portion and primary camera components.

4. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said base portion includes at least one recess for receiving at least a portion of the primary camera components.

5. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ground comprises a racetrack surface.

6. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said surface portion comprises a hardened material that is resistant to the forces of high-speed vehicles passing thereover.

7. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the upper surface portion of the camera housing comprises an at least partially dome like surface that is devoid of exposed pointed edges.

8. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the camera rises a maximum distance of about 0.25 inches above the surface of the ground.

9. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the upper surface has a diameter of about 4 inches to provide a gentle transition between the ground surface and the top surface of the camera housing.

10. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the in-ground camera upper surface incorporates a microphone to provide audio with camera video.

11. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein in-ground camera upper surface incorporates an air or fluid spray system for cleaning the lens of the camera during use.

12. An in-ground camera system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a dummy plate configured to secure over the recessed mounting interface in lieu of the upper surface portion.