CA 02523744 2005-10-19
TITLE: DOME CAMERA DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a dome camera device. In
particular, the present invention provides a dome camera
device with and environmental monitoring sensors that can
be used both indoors and outdoors for video surveillance
as well as to track and monitor environmental conditions
such as outdoor temperature, wind direction and wind
strength.
In one aspect the present invention provides a pan and
tilt dome camera for use in a video recording and display
system comprising:
(a) a camera;
(b) a motorised camera mount allowing for
repositioning of camera along a horizontal and
vertical axis;
(c) a heating device;
(d) a circuit board with upgradeable firmware;
(e) a housing unit to lodge the motorized camera
mount, temperature sensors, wind direction and
intensity sensors, heating device and circuit
board;
(f) a means to mount the housing unit to a ceiling,
on a wall, in a walled corner or on a pole;
(g) a communications means to enable communication
of video data captured through digital camera
and other data from the temperature sensors in
the housing unit to a remote workstation;
whereby the camera may be programmed, configured and/or
operated by an operator in a remote control workstation
and whereby a heating device can be used to maintain the
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minimum ambient temperature required for the proper
operation of the camera and modem.
In another aspect the present invention provides a dome
camera device having the following components: a camera
with the digital record and auto and manual digital focus
and zoom; a motorized camera mount that allows the camera
to tilt and pivot on both a horizontal and vertical axis;
a housing unit which houses the camera and system circuit
board and related accessories, the lower part of the
housing unit comprising a transparent tinted dome through
which the camera captures video data; a mounting unit for
the housing unit and a closed circuit data communication
and display network which receives video data, system
status data and other data recorded by the housing unit,
using optical, cable and/or wireless (Internet VPN or
radiofrequency) network platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly
understood, an embodiment will now be described in detail
by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective external view of one embodiment
of a dome camera device according to the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of some of the components
mounted within the dome camera device of Figure 1
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the housing and dome
cover together comprising the external casing of the dome
camera device.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of some of the internal
circuitry and electronic components of the dome camera
device of Figure 1.
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Figure 5 is a perspective view of the dome camera device
of Figure 1 illustrating how the components shown in
Figure 4 are to be mounted within the housing;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dome camera device
of Figure 1 showing a dome cover to be attached to the
bottom of the housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
With reference to Figure 1, one embodiment of a dome
camera device generally indicated at 1 is illustrated.
The dome camera device 1 in the embodiment illustrated is
attached to a mounting bracket 2. In the embodiment shown
in Figure 1 the mounting bracket 2 is intended to be
affixed to a wall. The dome camera device 1 of the
present invention may be mounted in a different fashion
to walls, ceilings, poles or the like and the present
invention is not restricted to any particular method or
location of mounting of the dome camera device 1.
The dome camera device 1, in the embodiment shown, has an
external casing, generally indicated at 3, having a
housing 4 and dome cover 5. In the embodiment illustrated
the housing 3 is an aluminum bell style housing unit 6.
The mounting bracket 2 illustrated in Figure 1 is made of
strong and durable die-cast aluminum and the housing unit
6 is made of strong and durable pressed aluminum. Other
materials and forms of construction for housing unit 6
and mounting bracket 2 are possible and the present
invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated.
Figure 2 displays three internal components of the dome
camera device 1 which may be housed within the housing
unit 6. A quick access flip mounting bracket 7 is shown
affixed to the upper inner surface 8 of the housing unit
6. A circuit board 9 is affixed to one end 10 of the
quick access flip mounting bracket 7. The circuit board 9
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may be affixed by hinge means to the quick access flip
mounting bracket 7 so that it can be pivoted from the
position shown in Figure 2 which permits easy access to
the circuit board 9 to an operative position where pin 11
can snap into catch 12. The circuit board 9 in the
embodiment illustrated includes an integrated circuit
board that may provide components for monitoring of
interior and exterior temperatures, interior moisture and
humidity conditions and fan speed. The circuit board 9
may also include an intelligent power distribution
management system to ensure the protection and durability
of the components housed within the housing unit. The
circuit board 9 may also allow real time communications
of data recorded through the device as well as remote
configuration of device, including alarm conditions, via
any suitable means such as coaxial cable and/or fibre
optic line or wireless transmission to a recording device
(not shown). The circuit board 9 may include a variety of
other components such as a built in alarm input trigger,
dry contact outputs and sensors for monitoring external
wind speed.
A cooling fan 13 is also shown in Figure 2 affixed to the
other end 14 of quick access flip mounting bracket 7. The
cooling fan 13 provides a constant distribution of cool
and warm air throughout the housing unit. The quick
access flip mounting bracket 7 as noted above allows for
easier access and installation of connectors on the
circuit board 9 while providing superior circulation of
cooling air generated by the cooling fan 13
Figure 3 displays other components of the dome camera
device 1. In Figure 3 a dome cover 5 is shown having a
acrylic or poly carbon dome bubble 15 and an integrated
circular mounting unit 16. The dome bubble is in the
embodiment illustrated made of a highly durable, scratch
resistant acrylic or poly carbon material and is designed
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to withstand the harshest of elements without clouding or
other impairment of the dome camera device 1. In Figure 3
a heating ring 17 is shown and may be integrated to the
inner circumference 18 of the integrated circular
mounting unit 16. The heating ring 17 is intended to
generate heat to ensure minimum operating temperature
levels are maintained within the housing unit 4. The
heating ring 17 may also serve to defrost the dome bubble
15.
A heater control card 19 is shown affixed to circuit
board 9 and is connected to the dome heating ring 17. The
heater control card 19 monitors and controls internal
temperature by either activating or deactivating the
heating ring 17.
Figure 4 displays a camera 20 for the embodiment of the
dome camera device 1 shown in the drawings and a means
for mounting it within external casing 3. In the
embodiment shown camera 20 is a pan, zoom and tilt
camera. In order to have the pan and tilt capability, the
means for mounting it within external casing 3 includes a
drive unit generally indicated at 21. The drive unit 21
has a bracket 22 with a base 23 and opposite depending
flanges 24,25. Camera 20 is mounted between flanges 24,25
so it can be tilted up or down. The bracket 22 is
rotationally mounted to the bottom of locking unit 26 so
that the camera 20 can pan 360° or portion thereof.
Locking unit 26 is adapted to connect to circuit board 9
by some suitable connection means. In the embodiment
shown, mounting clips 27,28 allow for installation of the
locking unit 26 to circuit board 9. A driver controller
board 29 is shown on drive unit 21 and operable connected
to the drive motor to control the pan/zoom/tilt functions
of camera 20. A communications circuit board 30 is also
shown on bracket 22. The communications circuit board 30
may contain diagnostic LEDs and DIP switches for setting
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Protocol used for communication, baud rate and system
reset switch.
In the embodiment shown a socket connection between an
AMP socket 31 on locking unit 26 and a corresponding AMP
plug 35 on circuit board 9. The connection allows for
communications between the camera 20 and drive controller
board 29 through use of a communications line connected
to the AMP socket 31 and the communications circuit board
30.
The drive controller board 29 may include a high
definition microprocessor system controller and built in
cache memory. The drive controller board 29 controls the
optical operations of the camera 20 as well as the
mechanical drive which allows for a 360 degree continuous
pan and a 180 degree tilt which preferably includes an
auto flip feature. The drive controller board 29 allows
the programming of all camera functions, including 220
preset camera positions (+/- 0.1 degree preset accuracy),
4 tours (27 presets/4 tours), 300 degree/second pan/tilt
speed, 4 patterns, 4 cruises, 8 titled zones, 8 privacy
masks, park time and park action.
The Communications Circuit Board 30 is shown affixed to
the flange 25 of bracket 22 and contains the diagnostic
LEDs and the DIP switches for setting the protocol. In
the embodiment shown two LEDs are used in conjunction
with the Communications Circuit Board 30, a green LED 32
and a red LED 33. Activation of the LEDs and patterns of
activation and deactivation of the LEDs are used to
communicate configuration and operational status of the
camera. A steady green light indicates that the
communication line has been reversed. A flashing green
light means that the configuration settings or
operational commands are being received by the video
capture and environmental reporting system. A flashing
red light means that the communication protocols which
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are being received by the communications circuit board 30
match the protocol settings of the DIP switches. The
communications circuit board 30 may also be used to
configure the baud rate for data communications of
configuration settings or operational commands. The
communications circuit board 30 may also contain a system
reset switch 34 which allows for the deletion of
configuration parameters and restoration of factory
default configuration settings.
Figure 5 shows in the one embodiment illustrated how the
camera and means for mounting it within external casing 3
are intend to connect using a pendant mount. A black
liner dome screen 36 is affixed to the a means for
mounting it within external casing 3 and encapsulates the
camera 20 as well as the drive controller board 29 and
the communications circuit board 30 thereby protecting
them from damage caused by sunlight.
Figure 6 displays an embodiment of the dome camera device
using a pendant mount fixture. A dome cover 5 which is
integrated with the dome bubble 15 is affixed to the
housing unit 6. The dome cover provides a watertight and
weather resistant shield.
The dome camera devices of the present invention offer
one or more of the following features:
1. built-in heating unit to allow system
preheating to allow for proper operation in
cold weather environments;
2. tamper proof, robust housing unit;
3. esthetical design;
4. system firmware capable of being
updated/upgraded or supplemented;
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5. built-in alarm;
6. built-in surge and lightning protection;
7. speed amplify controls;
8. internal power supply for system memory;
9. auto running resume after manual operation;
10. tracking and on-screen display of camera
orientation and tilt level;
11. tracking and on-screen display of outdoor
temperature;
12. tracking and on-screen display of ambient
temperature within housing unit and internal
cooling fan and heating unit status;
13. tracking and on-screen display of wind speeds
and wind direction;
14. programmable multi-protocol settings with
respect to automated:
(a) camera tilt and relative position within
housing unit;
(b) camera pan;
(c) camera zoom;
(d) frame size;
(e) contrast setting;
(f) day/night recording mode;
(g) recording location/coordinates;
(h) recording tours;
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(i) recording patterns;
(j) recording °cruises" <?>
(k) tracking;
(1) privacy features (exclusion of user
designated areas from captured video
data);
(m) alarm conditions;
(n) alarm priority levels and responses,
including camera positioning and audible
alarms;
(o) heating unit activation conditions;
(p) power down;
One or more of these programming features may be capable
of being set in terms of specific days or times or other
user defined conditions.
In one embodiment the dome camera device is comprised of
the following components:
1. a camera with the following features
(a) digital record;
(b) auto and manual digital focus and zoom;
(c) lens <particulars?>;
(d) lens shutter.
2. a motorised camera mount that allows the camera
to tilt and pivot on both a horizontal and
vertical axis.
3. a housing unit which houses the camera and
system circuit board and related accessories,
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the lower part of the housing unit comprising a
transparent tinted dome through which the
camera captures video data.
4. a mounting unit for the housing unit comprising
of either:
(a) a pole mount;
(b) an in-ceiling mount;
(c) a pendant mount;
(d) a wall mount; or
(e) a corner mount.
5. a closed circuit data communication and display
network which receives video data, system
status data and other data recorded by the
housing unit, using optical, cable and/or
wireless (Internet VPN or radiofrequency)
network platform
It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art that the present discussion is a description of
exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit
the broader aspects of the present invention.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein in detail, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that
variations may be made thereto without departing from the
spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims.
