Omnidirectional User Configurable Multi-Camera Housing

• US 20150358538A1
• Filed: 04/09/2015
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arecont Vision Costar, LLC (Costar Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Arecont Vision LLC (Costar Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Donaldson, Brad J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,438,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/55 with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/023 Multi-image cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/04 with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

An omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing includes a top plate including one or more electronic circuit boards thereon; a track plate secured to the top plate by a plurality of first fasteners, wherein the track plate is rotationally movable with respect to the top plate via a respective curve-shaped opening that accommodates movement of a respective first fastener within the respective curve-shaped opening; a plurality of camera assemblies secured to the track plate by a plurality of magnetic devices, each of the camera assemblies including a camera and a bracket, movably installed on the track, wherein each of the camera is rotatable on a respective bracket in a plane perpendicular to the track plate, and wherein each of the bracket are rotatable in a plane including the track plate; and a transparent cover for covering the plurality of camera assemblies installed on the track plate.

Claims

1. An omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing comprising:

a top plate including one or more electronic circuit boards thereon;

a track plate secured to the top plate by a plurality of first fasteners, wherein the track plate is rotationally movable with respect to the top plate, when the first fasteners are loosen;

a plurality of camera assemblies movably installed on the track plate and within the top plate, each comprising;

a bracket movably secured to the track plate,

a camera movably secured to the bracket, wherein the camera is rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the track plate, and

a second fastener for movably securing the bracket to the track plate;

a transparent cover for covering the plurality of camera assemblies installed on the track plate; and

a trim plate for securing the transparent cover to the top plate with a plurality of third fasteners, wherein the track plate includes;

a plurality of first index holes around a perimeter of the track plate for configurable indexing a positioning and an alignment of a first portion of the plurality of camera assemblies,

a plurality of second index holes around a center of the track plate for configurable indexing a positioning and an alignment of a second portion of the plurality of camera assemblies,

a plurality of curve-shaped openings to accommodate the plurality of first fasteners and allow movement of the plurality of first fasteners within the curve-shaped openings, respectively, for rotational movement of the track plate with respect to the top plate, when the plurality of first fasteners are loosen, and

an opening for a cable coupled to the one or more electronic circuit boards.

2. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, further comprising a top gasket attached to the top plate for a weatherproof seal between the top plate and a mounting surface for the housing.

3. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, further comprising a cover gasket attached to the top plate for a weatherproof seal between the top plate and the cover.

4. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, wherein the top plate includes a national pipe thread (NPT) port for cabling from the side of the camera assemblies.

5. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of camera assemblies include a day/night switch for moving a piece of infrared (IR) coated glass over a camera lens to allow different light spectrums in for a day mode or a night mode.

6. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, further comprising one or more fans for cooling the plurality of camera assemblies.

7. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, wherein the second fastener for movably securing the bracket to the track plate is a captive screw.

8. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, wherein the second fastener for movably securing the bracket to the track plate is a magnet.

9. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 1, wherein a footprint of the housing is circular or elliptical.

10. An omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing comprising:

a top plate including one or more electronic circuit boards thereon;

a track plate secured to the top plate by a plurality of first fasteners, wherein the track plate is rotationally movable with respect to the top plate via a respective curve-shaped opening that accommodates movement of a respective first fastener within the respective curve-shaped opening;

a plurality of camera assemblies secured to the track plate by a plurality of magnetic devices, each of the camera assemblies including a camera and a bracket, movably installed on the track, wherein each of the camera is rotatable on a respective bracket in a plane perpendicular to the track plate, and wherein each of the bracket are rotatable in a plane including the track plate; and

a transparent cover for covering the plurality of camera assemblies installed on the track plate.

11. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 10, further comprising a top gasket attached to the top plate for a weatherproof seal between the top plate and a mounting surface for the housing.

12. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 10, further comprising a trim plate for securing the transparent cover to the top plate with a plurality of second fasteners.

13. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 10, further comprising a cover gasket attached to the top plate for a weatherproof seal between the top plate and the cover.

14. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 10, wherein the top plate includes a national pipe thread (NPT) port for cabling from the side of the camera assemblies.

15. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 10, wherein one or more of the plurality of camera assemblies include a day/night switch for moving a piece of infrared (IR) coated glass over a camera lens to allow different light spectrums in for a day mode or a night mode.

16. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 10, further comprising one or more fans for cooling the plurality of camera assemblies.

17. The omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing of claim 10, wherein a footprint of the housing is circular or elliptical.