Self-cleaning camera housings, self-cleaning camera modules, and monitoring systems comprising self-cleaning camera modules
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A camera module comprising:
- a housing comprising a faceplate with an aperture;
a camera being comprised within the housing and oriented such that an optical path at least partially coincides with the aperture;
a mixer configured to mix a first fluid with a second fluid to form a cleaning fluid;
an optically transparent window pane coupled to the faceplate, substantially coextensive with the aperture; and
a controller in fluid communication with the mixer, the controller configured to deliver the cleaning fluid toward the optically transparent window pane to remove impurity on the optically transparent window pane.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A camera module comprising:
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a housing comprising a faceplate with an aperture; a camera being comprised within the housing and oriented such that an optical path at least partially coincides with the aperture; a mixer configured to mix a first fluid with a second fluid to form a cleaning fluid; an optically transparent window pane coupled to the faceplate, substantially coextensive with the aperture; and a controller in fluid communication with the mixer, the controller configured to deliver the cleaning fluid toward the optically transparent window pane to remove impurity on the optically transparent window pane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for imaging a target to clean a camera, the method comprising:
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obtaining one or more images of the target with the camera through a window pane; assessing cleanliness of the window pane from the one or more images to create a cleanliness factor; moving one or more ports, which direct a cleaning fluid, to remove impurity on the window pane; mixing, by a mixer in fluid communication with the one or more ports, a first fluid with a second fluid to form the cleaning fluid; and cleaning the window pane based on the cleanliness factor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for operating a camera module to clean a camera, wherein the camera module comprises a housing having a faceplate with an aperture, one or more ports coupled to the housing, and an optically transparent window pane coupled to the faceplate, a camera comprising an optical path, the method comprising:
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taking one or more images with the camera; assessing cleanliness of the optical path with the one or more images; mixing, by a mixer in fluid communication with the one or more ports, a first fluid with a second fluid to form a cleaning fluid; providing the cleaning fluid to the aperture via the one or more ports based upon the assessment; and moving the one or more ports, which direct the cleaning fluid, to remove impurity on the optically transparent window pane. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification