Camera with a lens connector

• US 9,723,273 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2014
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Child, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huang, Frank
• Application Number:
  US14/254,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20150304613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19626 optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for using a video camera. According to at least one embodiment, a camera assembly for recording video footage includes a lens connector with a lens attached to a first end and a camera body connector on a second end. Further, the lens connector has a length that separates the video lens a distance from a camera body when the lens connector is attached to camera body and also housing at least one cable capable of transmitting a video signal recorded by the lens from the lens to the camera body. Also, the camera body has a power module and a communication module to communicate with a remote control unit.

Claims

1. A camera assembly for recording video footage, comprising:

a detachable lens connector with a lens attached to a first end and a camera body on a second end; and

the lens connector comprising a length that separates the lens a distance from the camera body, the camera body being positioned at a first location and the lens being positioned at a second location so that a monitoring area is within a field of view of the lens, wherein the second location is different from the first location, the first location being obstructed by an object and the second location being unobstructed by the object, and wherein the lens connector houses at least one cable capable of transmitting a video signal recorded by the lens from the lens to the camera body;

wherein the camera body comprises a sending module in communication with a remote control unit, wherein the camera body is powered separately from the remote control unit;

wherein the camera assembly is in communication with a security system, and the security system comprises a motion detector unobstructed by the object and the security system does not comprise the object; and

wherein the camera body is configured to activate based at least in part on a signal from the motion detector.

2. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the sending module comprises a wireless transmitter.

3. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens connector is made of a flexible construction and exhibits a pliable characteristic where the lens connector maintains a bent shape after a bending force is removed from the lens connector.

4. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera assembly is configured to operate in a visual light spectrum.

5. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera assembly is configured to operate in an infrared light spectrum.

6. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the remote control unit comprises a premise security system module.

7. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the remote control unit comprises a home automation system module.

8. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens connector is configured to detach based at least in part on a release mechanism that is arranged to disconnect the second end of the lens connector from the camera body.

9. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera body comprises:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

receive the video signal from the lens connector; and

send the video signal to the remote control unit.

10. The camera assembly of claim 9, wherein the instructions further are executable to receive an activation command from a sensor.

11. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a wall and the camera body is configured to be mounted to the wall.

12. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera body comprises a cord with a plug arranged to be inserted into an alternating current socket incorporated into a wall of a building.

13. A method for using a video camera in a security system, comprising:

receiving, with a camera body positioned at a first location, wherein the first location is obstructed by an object, a video signal from a detachable lens connector that supports a video lens on a first end of a flexible construction that exhibits a pliable characteristic where the lens connector maintains a bent shape after a bending force is removed from the lens connector, wherein the video lens is positionable at a second location so that a monitoring area is within a field of view of the lens, wherein the second location is different from the first location, the second location being unobstructed by the object; and

sending, with the camera body, the video signal to a remote control unit in wireless communication with the camera body, wherein the camera body is powered separately from the remote control unit;

wherein the security system comprises a motion detector unobstructed by the object and the security system does not comprise the object; and

wherein the camera body is configured to activate based at least in part on a signal from the motion detector.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising activating a videoing capability in response to receiving the signal from the motion detector.

15. A security system, comprising:

a camera assembly with a detachable lens connector having a lens attached to a first end and a camera body on a second end;

the lens connector comprising a length that separates the lens a distance from the camera body, the camera body being positioned at a first location and the lens being positioned at a second location so that a monitoring area is within a field of view of the lens, wherein the second location is different from the first location, the first location being obstructed by an object and the second location being unobstructed by the object, and wherein the lens connector houses at least one cable capable of transmitting a video signal recorded by the lens from the lens to the camera body; and

a remote control unit in wireless communication with the camera body, wherein the camera body is powered separately from the remote control unit; and

wherein the camera assembly is in communication with the security system, and the security system comprises a motion detector unobstructed by the object and the security system does not comprise the object; and

wherein, the camera body is configured to activate based at least in part on a signal from the motion detector.

16. The security system of claim 15, wherein the lens connector is made of a flexible construction and exhibits a pliable characteristic where the lens connector maintains a bent shape after a bending force is removed from the lens connector.

17. The security system of claim 15, wherein the lens connector is configured to detach based at least in part on a release mechanism that is arranged to disconnect the second end of the lens connector from the camera body.

18. The security system of claim 15, wherein the camera body comprises:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

receive the video signal from the lens connector; and

send the video signal to the remote control unit.

19. The security system of claim 18, wherein the instructions further are executable to receive a command to activate a video capability in response to receiving a message from a motion detector.

20. The security system of claim 15, wherein the object comprises a wall and the camera body is configured to be mounted to the wall.