Network camera mounting system

• US 7,599,002 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2004
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Lancaster, Jeffrey B., Hartsfield, Andrew J., Simonsen, Harold L., Willes, W. Paul, Rohlfing, Thomas R., Tree, Evan I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Nhan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, NELSON D
• Application Number:
  US10/774,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20050117052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,066 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/207.99, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/375, 348/211.3, 348/373, 348/552, 348/142, 348/372, 348/335, 348/340, 348/151, 248/683, 248/549, 248/466, 248/467, 248/489, 248/206.2, 248/206.3, 248/206.4, 248/309.3, 396/419, 396/421, 396/424, 396/427, 396/428, 211/87.01, 211/75
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/126 for tilting and panning F16M11/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

This invention allows a video network camera to be mounted directly against a window or other transparent surface without any additional mounting hardware. The network camera can be mounted both inside and outside of a window without additional mounting hardware. A novel mounting apparatus in conjunction with an adjustable video sensor allows the user to quickly mount and make adjustments to the viewing angle of the network camera, thus reducing installation time and installation costs. In addition, the network camera can be mounted to walls, ceilings and other surfaces as necessary by using a second mounting assembly.

Claims

1. A network video camera adapted for flush mounting comprising:

a glare shield;

a low profile camera housing comprising a shell, an end of the shell circumscribing an opening for receiving the glare shield, the end of the shell in a substantially circular shape and adapted for flush mounting in direct contact with an external transparent medium, the glare shield substantially in level with the end of the shell circumscribing the opening;

an adjustable video sensor assembly within the low profile housing, wherein said video sensor assembly receives images through the glare shield and transmits the received images through a network interface;

a positioning knob connected to the adjustable video sensor assembly for manually adjusting a viewing angle of the adjustable video sensor; and

a first mounting assembly attached to the low profile camera housing and adapted for flush mounting the end of the shell circumscribing the opening in direct contact with the external transparent medium,

wherein said first mounting assembly is connected to a mounting point located on the low profile housing above a center of gravity of the network video camera, the end of the shell pressed against the external transparent medium by weight of the network video camera, and

wherein the low profile camera housing comprises a front mounting point for attaching to the first mounting assembly, and a bottom rear mounting point for attaching to a second mounting assembly, the second mounting assembly adapted to support the network video camera upright on a flat surface.

2. The network video camera as recited in claim 1, wherein the low profile camera housing further comprises a rear mounting point located at a rear of the low profile camera housing, the rear mounting point adapted for attaching to a third mounting assembly.

3. The network video camera as recited in claim 2, wherein the rear mounting point is further adapted for connecting to a back cover covering a rear of the low profile camera housing.

4. A network video camera mounting system comprising:

a glare shield;

a low profile camera housing comprising a shell covering an opening formed on the shell, an end of the shell circumscribing an opening for receiving the glare shield, the end of the shell in a substantially circular shape and adapted for flush mounting in direct contact with an external transparent medium, the glare shield substantially in level with the end of the shell circumscribing the opening, the low profile camera housing comprising;

a first mounting point at an upper front portion of the low profile camera housing for attaching to a first mounting assembly, the first mounting assembly adapted for flush mounting the end of the shell in direct contact with the external transparent medium;

a second mounting point at an upper rear portion of the low profile camera housing for attaching to a second mounting assembly; and

a third mounting point at a lower rear portion of the low profile camera housing for attaching to a third mounting assembly;

an adjustable video sensor assembly within the low profile housing comprising an image sensor, wherein the adjustable video sensor assembly receives images through the glare shield;

a network interface which transmits images from the video sensor assembly; and

a positioning knob connected to the adjustable video sensor assembly for manually adjusting a viewing angle of the adjustable video sensor.

5. The network video camera mounting system of claim 4, wherein the network interface is adapted to transmit the received images over a power line network.

6. The network video camera mounting system of claim 4, wherein the shell further comprises a fourth mounting point at the top of the shell for attaching to a fourth mounting assembly, the fourth mounting assembly adapted for flush mounting the end of the shell in direct contact with the external transparent medium when attached to the fourth mounting point, the fourth mounting assembly further attachable to the third mounting point to support the low profile camera housing upright on a flat surface.

7. The network video camera mounting system of claim 4, wherein the first mounting point is located above a center of gravity of the low profile camera housing, the end of the shell pressed against the external transparent medium by weight of the low profile camera housing.