Temperature-controlled camera assembly

Abstract

This application relates to temperature-controlled camera assemblies. A video camera assembly comprising: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encapsulated in the housing and configured to capture activity of a smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared emitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encapsulated in the housing, the one or more circuit boards comprising at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor captures activity of the smart home environment.

Description

[0001] Case Analysis

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 201810698602.7, filed on June 29, 2018.

[0003] Cross-reference to related applications

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 560,611, filed September 19, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] This application relates to U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 710,770, filed September 20, 2017, entitled “Camera Assembly with Concave-Shaped Front Face”; U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 710,758, filed September 20, 2017, entitled “Mount Hinge for an Electronic Device”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 710,765, filed September 20, 2017, entitled “Mount Attachment for an Electronic Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0006] This invention generally relates to camera components, including but not limited to temperature-controlled video camera components. Background Technology

[0007] Video surveillance cameras are gaining widespread use. Their adoption in residential and commercial environments has increased significantly, partly due to their lower price and ease of deployment.

[0008] As consumer demands evolve and the complexity of home automation and related systems increases, new challenges arise in designing such camera products, such as temperature and lighting management. These challenges are particularly critical for outdoor products susceptible to significant temperature variations and environmental conditions. For example, cameras with fixed-focus image sensors require operating temperatures within specific ranges to prevent image distortion and / or quality degradation. As another example, users may expect to mount the camera in locations exposed to rain and direct sunlight. Yet another example, users may desire a wide range of degrees of freedom to adjust the camera's orientation after mounting (e.g., tilt and deflect). And yet another example, users may expect to mount the camera in insecure locations where it is at risk of being stolen. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, systems and / or devices need to maintain specific temperatures within camera components in a more efficient, precise, and effective manner; capture, analyze, and transmit scenes through camera components; compensate for camera component exposure to rain and / or direct sunlight; achieve a wide range of positional freedom for camera components; and secure camera components to buildings; etc. Such systems, devices, and methods may optionally complement or replace conventional systems, devices, and methods.

[0010] This disclosure describes a compact all-weather camera implementation featuring high-power on-camera processing, low-light (e.g., nighttime) illumination, microphones and speakers for capturing and relaying audio information, passive cooling, active heating, water resistance, shock resistance, pressure equalization, the ability to simultaneously transmit multiple HD video streams, and the ability to wirelessly communicate with other devices via various protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IEEE 15.4). Such a device generates significant heat (e.g., from the processor) and also includes thermally sensitive components such as an image sensor. In such a device, it is important to maintain the temperature of highly sensitive components (e.g., via active heating and passive cooling) while keeping the camera compact with a passive cooling aspect. Furthermore, the camera image sensor is inherently light-sensitive, so it is crucial to prevent light, color, or IR from the camera illuminator from entering the image sensor. Components for manipulating light from the camera illuminator—such as lenses and diffusers—are important for preventing fading or anomalies in the captured images. The embodiments described herein include components configured to prevent heat and / or light interference with sensitive camera components.

[0011] Means for maintaining the temperature of the image sensor in a camera are desirable. Image sensors are affected by variations in ambient temperature and / or operating temperature. In many cases, the greater the temperature variation, the greater the impact. In particular, temperature variations can affect the focus or sharpness of captured images. Therefore, maintaining the temperature of the image sensor is especially important for fixed-focus cameras that do not have a means of refocusing to compensate for temperature effects. Furthermore, outdoor cameras may experience a wide temperature range (e.g., from -40°C to 55°C). Therefore, maintaining the temperature of the image sensor is also particularly important for outdoor cameras. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the camera includes an active heating element configured to maintain the image sensor at a desired operating temperature during camera operation by selectively supplying heat to the image sensor. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the camera includes a passive cooling assembly configured to maintain the image sensor at a desired operating temperature during camera operation by dissipating heat from the image sensor.

[0012] It is also desirable for the lenses of the IR illuminators (e.g., toroidal lenses) to guide the illumination to uniformly illuminate portions of the scene within the camera's field of view, as this reduces anomalies and improves the quality of images captured by the image sensor. It is also desirable for the lenses to be adapted to minimize the amount of illumination sent outside the camera's field of view. By reducing the amount of illumination sent outside the camera's field of view, the number and / or intensity of IR illuminators required to provide adequate illumination are reduced. For convenience, although illuminators and lenses are described herein as suitable for infrared light, in some embodiments, other types of invisible light illuminators and lenses (e.g., ultraviolet illuminators and corresponding lenses) are used.

[0013] It is also desirable to have a concave front (sometimes called a cover glass or cover lens) because it prevents water from accumulating on the front, provides shade for the image sensor (e.g., blocks direct sunlight), and improves the quality of the images captured by the image sensor.

[0014] It is also expected that the camera will provide visual and / or audio feedback to the user (e.g., via the user interface of a smart home application, or via audio and / or visual feedback from the camera). The feedback may relate to the operational status of the camera itself, the operational status of another electronic device associated with the camera, and / or the operational status of a set of electronic devices associated with the camera.

[0015] In environments where security cameras are typically deployed, such as in workplaces or homes (indoors or outdoors), it is advantageous to configure the camera with physical features capable of providing occupants in the environment with real-time camera status information and / or audio / visual content that indicates or supplements camera processing activity, without interfering with camera operation or the occupant's actions. In some implementations, such physical features include a halo positioned around the camera and configured to be visible to occupants in the environment from a wide range of locations within the environment. For example, in some camera implementations, the halo is configured to be visible within a range of locations that includes at least the area of ​​the environment falling within the camera's field of view. In some camera implementations, the halo has multiple individual light-emitting elements, each having associated light-emitting characteristics that can be individually controlled to reflect the local camera status and / or camera processing status / operation. In some configurations, the controllable light-emitting characteristics include one or more of on / off states, hue, saturation, and / or brightness / intensity. In some configurations, the light-emitting elements are individually controlled to display an overall pattern (e.g., the entire ring or one or more parts of a ring) that may be static or dynamic (e.g., one or more rotating portions of a ring), composed of a single display color or two or more different display colors. Each of the patterns can conform to visual language and correspond to camera status and / or camera processing operations. For example, a color or a pattern of two or more different colors (static or dynamic) can indicate that: the camera is on or off, has an active or inactive connection to a server (e.g., a server performing image processing or distributing video and notifications to remote users), is actively processing local information from the environment, or has received notifications or status information from another smart device or server in the home environment. In camera implementations that include a speaker, physical features (e.g., a halo) can be controlled by the camera to display a pattern corresponding to the audible beat / rhythm of music being played from the speaker, using a color range selected to match the tempo / feeling of the music. The advantage of providing such information via light patterns is that it is easily perceived by all / most users in the environment (even if they are not accessing the camera's smartphone app) without disturbing the activities of occupants in the environment as much as audible alerts.

[0016] It is also desirable for cameras to have mounts that encapsulate various interconnects and offer a wide range of rotational freedom. Encapsulating the interconnects reduces cable wear and tear, decreases the likelihood of cable damage, enhances the camera's aesthetics, and increases its rotational freedom. Increased rotational freedom improves user satisfaction by providing more possible positions to position the camera with the desired field of view. Furthermore, it is desirable for camera mounts to provide stable support for the camera—which, due to its considerable onboard processing and communication capabilities, is relatively heavy yet compact and portable compared to its size—allowing for high flexibility in camera placement and providing stable use or attachment to a wide range of mounting surfaces in various orientations.

[0017] Furthermore, continuous or near-continuous camera operation is expected, making heat generation and dissipation crucial. Therefore, fairly compact electronic devices are required to incorporate heat dissipation mechanisms that dissipate heat generated within the electronic device from its thermally sensitive components. Specifically, according to some embodiments, the heat dissipation mechanism efficiently and passively removes heat generated by the thermally sensitive electronic component and / or another heat-generating electronic component without the use of a fan. Given the compact form factor of the electronic device, the heat dissipation mechanism is also configured to mechanically support the thermally sensitive electronic component, the heat-generating electronic component, or both, without interfering with the intended function of the electronic device.

[0018] For example, an electronic device may include an internet camera that houses multiple electronic components within a compact housing and has various capabilities for capturing, processing, and streaming video images in real time. The electronic components of the internet camera include an image sensor assembly configured to capture and / or process video images. The image sensor assembly is sensitive to heat generated by itself or another system-on-a-chip (SoC) component. To prevent the adverse effects of heat, two separate sets of heat-conducting sections can be used to direct heat generated by the heat-generating electronic components (e.g., the camera's image sensor assembly) and / or the heat-sensitive electronic components (e.g., the camera's SoC component) to the heat-sensitive electronic components, respectively. These two separate sets of heat-conducting sections are tightly deployed within a compact housing while being thermally insulated from each other.

[0019] On one hand, some implementations include a camera assembly for deployment in a smart home environment. The camera assembly includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encapsulated in the housing and configured to capture activity in the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared emitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encapsulated in the housing, the circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating element coupled to the image sensor, the heating element being configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor captures activity in the smart home environment.

[0020] On the other hand, some embodiments include a camera assembly suitable for use in a smart home environment. The camera assembly includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face before entering the image sensor. In some embodiments, the front face includes: an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape extending from the outer periphery of the outer section to the inner periphery of the outer section. In some embodiments, the concave shape extends around the entire periphery. In some embodiments, the housing and the front face are identical in shape and symmetrical about a central axis.

[0021] On another aspect, some implementations include an electronic device having: (1) a base including a rod having a sphere; (2) a hinge assembly coupled to an electronic module and having a support including an inner surface conforming to a first outer surface of the sphere assembly to allow the support to rotate and / or tilt about the sphere; and (3) a biasing member coupled to a camera module and configured to apply a force to a second outer surface of the sphere assembly located on the side of the sphere opposite to the first outer surface, and the force being sufficient to hold the electronic module in a set position relative to the base.

[0022] On another aspect, some implementations include an attachment mechanism for an electronic device having: (1) a mounting plate having at least one protrusion; (2) a base assembly having a mounting surface and an arm assembly, the mounting surface being configured to engage the mounting plate, the arm assembly forming a central opening in a first position and a second position, the arm assembly partially protruding into a recess in the first position, the central opening being larger in the second position than the central opening in the first position, the arm assembly being configured to engage and capture at least one protrusion during an installation operation, in which the attachment mechanism is detachably mounted to the mounting plate, the arm assembly being covered by the base assembly and the mounting plate when the base assembly is attached to the mounting plate, the base assembly including an actuation mechanism coupled to the arm assembly such that operation of the actuation mechanism moves the arm assembly from the first position to the second position, such that the base assembly can be detached from the mounting plate. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To better understand the various embodiments described, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals in the drawings refer to corresponding parts.

[0024] Figure 1 This is an example of a smart home environment based on some implementation methods.

[0025] Figure 2A This is a block diagram illustrating a representative network architecture, including a smart home network, according to some implementation methods.

[0026] Figure 2B It is a representative operating environment in which server systems interact with client devices and smart devices, according to some implementation methods.

[0027] Figure 3A This is a block diagram illustrating a representative server system according to some implementation methods.

[0028] Figure 3B The diagram illustrates the various data structures used in some implementation methods.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating a representative smart device according to some implementation methods.

[0030] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a representative system architecture for video analysis and classification according to some implementation methods.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating a representative client device according to some implementation methods.

[0032] Figures 7A to 7B This is a perspective view of a representative camera component according to some implementation methods.

[0033] Figures 8A to 8D This is a component view of a representative camera assembly according to some implementation methods.

[0034] Figures 9A to 9D This is a component view illustrating a representative camera assembly according to some embodiments.

[0035] Figures 10A to 10B This is a view of additional components of a representative camera assembly according to some embodiments.

[0036] Figures 11A to 11C This is a view of additional components of a representative camera assembly according to some embodiments.

[0037] Figures 12A to 12B This is a component view illustrating a representative speaker assembly according to some embodiments.

[0038] Figures 13A to 13C This is a component view illustrating a representative circuit board assembly according to some embodiments.

[0039] Throughout the several views in the accompanying figures, similar reference numerals refer to corresponding parts. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Figure 1 This is an example of a smart home environment 100 according to some implementations. The smart home environment 100 includes a building 150 (e.g., a residence, office building, garage, or mobile home) with various integrated devices. It should be understood that devices can also be integrated into the smart home environment 100 excluding the overall building 150, such as an apartment, condominium, or office space. Additionally, the smart home environment 100 can control and / or couple to devices outside the actual building 150. In fact, several devices in the smart home environment 100 do not necessarily have to be physically located within the building 150. For example, devices controlling a pool heater 114 or an irrigation system 116 can be located outside the building 150.

[0041] It should be understood that “smart home environment” can refer to the smart environment of a home such as a detached house, but the scope of this teaching is not limited to this. This teaching can also be applied to, but is not limited to, semi-detached houses, townhouses, multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, industrial buildings, and more generally to any living or working space.

[0042] It should also be understood that while the terms user, customer, installer, homeowner, occupant, guest, tenant, landlord, and repairman may be used to refer to one or more persons acting in the specific contexts described herein, these references do not limit the scope of this teaching regarding one or more persons performing such actions. Thus, for example, in the case of a single-family residential property, the terms user, customer, purchaser, installer, subscriber, and homeowner may generally refer to the same person, as the homeowner is typically the person who makes the purchase decision, acquires the unit, and installs and configures the unit, and is also one of the users of that unit. However, in other scenarios such as a landlord-tenant environment, the customer regarding the acquired unit may be the landlord, the installer may be the local apartment manager, the first user may be the tenant, and, with respect to remote control functionality, the second user may again be the landlord. Importantly, while the identity of the person performing the action may be closely related to one or more of the specific advantages offered in the implementation, such identity should not be construed below as necessarily limiting the scope of this teaching to those specific individuals with those specific identities.

[0043] The depicted building 150 includes a plurality of rooms 152 at least partially separated from each other by walls 154. Walls 154 may include interior or exterior walls. Each room may further include a floor 156 and a ceiling 158. Equipment may be mounted to, integrated with, and / or supported by the walls 154, floor 156, or ceiling 158.

[0044] In some implementations, the integrated devices of the smart home environment 100 include smart multi-sensor networking devices that are connected to a smart home network (e.g., Figure 2A The smart home environment 100 can be seamlessly integrated with each other and / or with a central server or cloud computing system to provide a variety of beneficial smart home functions. The smart home environment 100 may include one or more smart multi-sensor networked thermostats 102 (hereinafter referred to as "smart thermostats 102"), one or more smart multi-sensor networked hazard detection units 104 (hereinafter referred to as "smart hazard detectors 104"), one or more smart multi-sensor networked access interface devices 106 and 120 (hereinafter referred to as "smart doorbells 106" and "smart locks 120"), and one or more smart multi-sensor networked alarm systems 122 (hereinafter referred to as "smart alarm systems 122").

[0045] In some implementations, one or more smart thermostats 102 detect ambient climate characteristics (e.g., temperature and / or humidity) and control the HVAC system 103 accordingly. For example, a corresponding smart thermostat 102 includes an ambient temperature sensor.

[0046] One or more smart hazard detectors 104 may include thermal radiation sensors pointing towards a corresponding heat source (e.g., a stove, oven, other appliances, fireplace, etc.). For example, the smart hazard detectors 104 in kitchen 153 include thermal radiation sensors pointing towards a stove / oven 112. The thermal radiation sensors can determine the temperature of the corresponding heat source (or a portion thereof) they are pointing towards and can provide corresponding blackbody radiation data as output.

[0047] The smart doorbell 106 and / or smart lock 120 can detect the approach or departure of a person (e.g., an exterior door), control doorbell / lock functions (e.g., receiving user input from a portable electronic device 166-1 to actuate the latch of the smart lock 120), notify the person of their approach or departure via audio or visual means, and / or control the settings of a security system (e.g., activating or deactivating the security system when an occupant arrives or leaves). In some embodiments, the smart doorbell 106 includes some or all of the components and features of a camera 118.

[0048] The smart alarm system 122 can detect the presence of individuals in the vicinity (e.g., using a built-in IR sensor), sound an alarm (e.g., via a built-in speaker, or by sending a command to one or more external speakers), and send notifications to entities or users within / outside the smart home network 100. In some embodiments, the smart alarm system 122 also includes one or more input devices or sensors (e.g., a keypad, biometric scanner, NFC transceiver, microphone) for verifying user identity, and one or more output devices (e.g., a display, a speaker). In some embodiments, the smart alarm system 122 can also be configured in a "defense" mode, causing an alarm to sound upon detection of a triggering condition or event unless a disarming action is performed.

[0049] In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 includes one or more smart multi-sensor networked wall switches 108 (hereinafter referred to as "smart wall switches 108") along with one or more smart multi-sensor networked wall outlet interfaces 110 (hereinafter referred to as "smart wall outlets 110"). The smart wall switch 108 can detect ambient lighting conditions, detect room occupancy, and control the power and / or dimming status of one or more lights. In some instances, the smart wall switch 108 can also control the power status or speed of a fan, such as a ceiling fan. The smart wall outlet 110 can detect room or enclosure occupancy and control power supply to one or more wall outlets (e.g., such that no power is supplied to the outlets if no one is home).

[0050] In some implementations... Figure 1The smart home environment 100 includes multiple smart multi-sensor networked appliances 112 (hereinafter referred to as "smart appliances 112"), such as refrigerators, stoves, ovens, televisions, washing machines, dryers, lights, stereo systems, intercom systems, garage door openers, floor fans, ceiling fans, wall-mounted air conditioners, pool heaters, irrigation systems, security systems, space heaters, window air conditioning units, motorized ventilation ducts, etc. In some embodiments, when plugged in, the appliances can self-announce to the smart home network, such as by indicating what type of appliance it is and that it can automatically integrate with the smart home's controller. Such communication between the appliances and the smart home can be facilitated by wired or wireless communication protocols. The smart home may also include various non-communicating conventional appliances 140 that can be controlled by a smart wall socket 110, such as older conventional washing machines / dryers, refrigerators, etc. The smart home environment 100 may further include various conventional electrical appliances 142 that communicate with each other, such as infrared (“IR”) controlled wall air conditioners or other IR-controlled devices, which can be controlled by IR signals provided by smart hazard detectors 104 or smart wall switches 108.

[0051] In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 includes one or more networked camera components 118 (sometimes referred to as cameras 118) configured to provide video surveillance and security within the smart home environment 100. Cameras 118 can be used to determine occupancy of building 150 and / or a specific room 152 within building 150, thus acting as occupancy sensors. For example, video captured by cameras 118 can be processed to identify the presence of an occupant in building 150 (e.g., in a specific room 152). For example, a specific individual can be identified based on their appearance (e.g., height, facial features) and / or movement (e.g., their walking / gait). Additionally, cameras 118 may include one or more sensors (e.g., IR sensors, motion detectors), input devices (e.g., microphones for capturing audio), and output devices (e.g., speakers for outputting audio). In some implementations, cameras 118 are configured to operate in both daytime and low-light modes (e.g., nighttime modes). In some implementations, cameras 118 include one or more IR illuminators for providing illumination when the camera is operating in low-light mode. In some embodiments, camera 118 includes one or more outdoor cameras. In some embodiments, the outdoor camera includes additional features and / or components such as weatherproofing and / or sunlight compensation.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the smart home environment 100 may include one or more other occupancy sensors (e.g., smart doorbell 106, smart lock 120, touchscreen, IR sensor, microphone, ambient light sensor, motion detector, smart nightlight 170, etc.). In some embodiments, the smart home environment 100 includes radio frequency identification (RFID) readers (e.g., in each room 152 or a portion thereof) that determine occupancy based on RFID tags located on or embedded in the occupant. For example, the RFID reader may be integrated into the smart hazard detector 104.

[0053] The smart home environment 100 may also include communication with devices outside the physical home but within the vicinity of the home's geographic area. For example, the smart home environment 100 may include a pool heater monitor 114, which communicates the current pool temperature to other devices within the smart home environment 100 and / or receives commands for controlling the pool temperature. Similarly, the smart home environment 100 may include an irrigation monitor 116, which transmits information about the irrigation system within the smart home environment 100 and / or receives control information for controlling such an irrigation system.

[0054] Thanks to network connectivity, even if the user is not nearby, Figure 1 One or more of the smart home devices may further allow users to interact with the devices. For example, users may communicate with the devices using a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer, or tablet computer) or other portable electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, such as smartphones). A webpage or application may be configured to receive communications from the user and, based on the communications, control the devices and / or present information about device operation to the user. For example, a user may view the current setpoint temperature of a device (e.g., a stove) and adjust it using a computer. The user may be inside or outside the building during this remote communication.

[0055] As discussed above, users can use networked computers or portable electronic devices 166 to control smart devices in the smart home environment 100. In some examples, some or all of the occupants (e.g., individuals residing in the home) can register their devices 166 with the smart home environment 100. Such registration can be done at a central server to authenticate the occupant and / or the device's association with the home and to authorize the occupant to use the device to control the smart devices in the home. Occupants can use their registered devices 166 to remotely control the smart devices in their home, such as when the occupant is at work or on vacation. When the occupant is physically at home—such as when the occupant is sitting on their sofa at home—the occupant can also use their registered devices to control the smart devices. It should be understood that, as an alternative to or in addition to the registered devices 166, the smart home environment 100 can infer which individuals reside in the home and therefore infer which are occupants and which devices 166 are associated with those individuals. In this way, the smart home environment can "know" who the occupants are and authorize the devices 166 associated with those individuals to control the smart devices in the home.

[0056] In some implementations, in addition to including processing and sensing capabilities, devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and / or 122 (collectively, “Smart Devices”) are capable of data communication and information sharing with other Smart Devices, a central server or cloud computing system, and / or other networked devices. Data communication can be performed using any of a variety of custom or standard wireless protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Smart, ISA100.5A, WirelessHART, MiWi, etc.) and / or any of a variety of custom or standard wired protocols (e.g., Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.) or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed prior to the date of this submission.

[0057] In some implementations, the smart device acts as a wireless or wired repeater. In some implementations, a first smart device communicates with a second smart device via a wireless router. The smart devices may further communicate with each other via a connection to a network such as the Internet 162 (e.g., network interface 160). Through the Internet 162, the smart devices may communicate with a server system 164 (also referred to herein as a central server system and / or cloud computing system). The server system 164 may be associated with a manufacturer, support entity, or service provider associated with the smart device. In some implementations, a user can contact customer support using the device itself without using other means of communication such as a telephone or a computer connected to the Internet. In some implementations, software updates are automatically sent from the server system 164 to the smart device (e.g., upon availability, upon purchase, or at routine intervals).

[0058] In some implementations, network interface 160 includes conventional network devices (e.g., routers), and Figure 1 The smart home environment 100 includes a hub device 180 that is directly or communicatively coupled to a network 162 via a network interface 160. The hub device 180 is further communicatively coupled to one or more of the aforementioned smart multi-sensor networking devices (e.g., smart devices of the smart home environment 100). Optionally, each of these smart devices communicates with the hub device 180 using one or more radio communication networks (e.g., ZigBee, Z-Wave, Insteon, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other radio communication networks) available at least in the smart home environment 100. In some embodiments, the hub device 180 and devices coupled to or coupled to it can be controlled and / or interacted with via an application running on a smartphone, home controller, laptop computer, tablet computer, game console, or similar electronic device. In some embodiments, a user of such a controller application can view the status of the hub device or coupled smart devices, configure the hub device to interoperate with newly introduced smart devices on the home network, debug new smart devices, and adjust or view the settings of connected smart devices, etc. In some implementations, the central device extends the capabilities of low-capability smart devices to match the capabilities of high-capability smart devices of the same type, integrates the functionality of multiple different device types—even across different communication protocols—and is configured to simplify the addition of new devices and the debugging of the central device. In some implementations, the central device 180 further includes a local storage device for storing data related to or output by the smart devices of the smart home environment 100. In some implementations, the data includes one or more of the following: video data output by a camera device, metadata output by a smart device, smart device settings information, smart device usage logs, etc.

[0059] In some embodiments, the smart home environment 100 includes a local storage device 190 for storing data related to or output by smart devices within the smart home environment 100. In some embodiments, the data includes one or more of the following: video data output by a camera device (e.g., camera 118), metadata output by smart devices, smart device setting information, smart device usage logs, etc. In some embodiments, the local storage device 190 is connected via a smart home network (e.g., [network name missing]). Figure 2A The local storage device 190 is communicatively coupled to one or more smart devices via a smart home network 202. In some embodiments, the local storage device 190 is selectively coupled to one or more smart devices via wired and / or wireless communication networks. In some embodiments, the local storage device 190 is used to store video data when external network conditions are poor. For example, the local storage device 190 is used when the encoding bit rate of camera 118 exceeds the available bandwidth of an external network (e.g., network 162). In some embodiments, the local storage device 190 temporarily stores video data from one or more cameras (e.g., camera 118) before transferring the video data to a server system (e.g., server system 164).

[0060] Figure 2AThis is a block diagram illustrating a representative network architecture 200 including a smart home network 202 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, smart devices 204 (e.g., devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and / or 122) in the smart home environment 100 are combined with a central device 180 to create a mesh network in the smart home network 202. In some embodiments, one or more smart devices 204 in the smart home network 202 operate as a smart home controller. Additionally and / or alternatively, the central device 180 operates as a smart home controller. In some embodiments, the smart home controller has greater computing power than other smart devices. In some implementations, the smart home controller processes inputs (e.g., inputs from smart devices 204, electronic devices 166, and / or server system 164) and sends commands (e.g., commands sent to smart devices 204 in the smart home network 202) to control the operation of the smart home environment 100. In some implementations, some of the smart devices 204 in the smart home network 202 (e.g., in a mesh network) are “speaker” nodes (e.g., 204-1), and others are “low-power” nodes (e.g., 204-9). Some of the smart devices in the smart home environment 100 are battery-powered, while others have a stable and reliable power source, such as wiring connected to the walls 154 of the smart home environment (e.g., wires connected to a 120V line voltage). Smart devices with a conventional and reliable power source are referred to as “speaker” nodes. These nodes are typically equipped with the ability to use wireless protocols to facilitate bidirectional communication with various other devices in the smart home environment 100 and with the server system 164. In some implementations, one or more "speaker" nodes operate as smart home controllers. On the other hand, battery-powered devices are "low-power" nodes. These nodes are often smaller than speaker nodes and typically communicate using only wireless protocols that require very little power, such as Zigbee, ZWave, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Bluetooth, etc.

[0061] In some implementations, some low-power nodes cannot communicate bidirectionally. These low-power nodes send messages, but they cannot "listen." Therefore, other devices in the smart home environment 100, such as speaker nodes, cannot send information to these low-power nodes.

[0062] In some implementations, some low-power nodes are only capable of limited bidirectional communication. For example, other devices can only communicate with low-power nodes during specific time periods.

[0063] As described above, in some embodiments, smart devices act as low-power nodes and speaker nodes to create a mesh network within the smart home environment 100. In some embodiments, individual low-power nodes in the smart home environment periodically transmit messages about what they are sensing, and other low-power nodes in the smart home environment forward these messages in addition to transmitting their own, thereby enabling messages to travel node-to-node (i.e., device-to-device) throughout the smart home network 202. In some embodiments, speaker nodes in the smart home network 202 capable of communicating using relatively high-power communication protocols such as IEEE 802.11 can switch to relatively low-power communication protocols such as IEEE 802.15.4 to receive these messages, translate the messages into other communication protocols, and send the translated messages to other speaker nodes and / or server system 164 (e.g., using relatively high-power communication protocols). Therefore, low-power nodes using low-power communication protocols can send and / or receive messages across the entire smart home network 202 and to server system 164 via the Internet 162. In some implementations, the mesh network enables the server system 164 to periodically receive data from most or all of the smart devices in the home, make inferences based on the data, facilitate state synchronization between devices inside and outside the smart home network 202, and send commands to one or more of the smart devices to perform tasks in the smart home environment.

[0064] As described above, some of the speaker nodes and low-power nodes are capable of "listening." Therefore, users, other devices, and / or server system 164 can transmit control commands to the low-power nodes. For example, a user can send commands to server system 164 via the Internet using electronic device 166 (e.g., a smartphone), which then relays the commands to one or more speaker nodes in the smart home network 202. Speaker nodes can use low-power protocols to transmit commands to low-power nodes throughout the smart home network 202, as well as to other speaker nodes that did not receive commands directly from server system 164.

[0065] In some implementations, smart night light 170, exemplified by smart device 204, is... Figure 1The smart nightlight 170 is a low-power node. In addition to housing the light source, the smart nightlight 170 also houses an occupancy sensor, such as an ultrasonic or passive IR sensor, and an ambient light sensor, such as a photoresistor or single-pixel sensor that measures the light in the room. In some embodiments, the smart nightlight 170 is configured to activate the light source when its ambient light sensor detects darkness in the room and its occupancy sensor detects someone in the room. In other embodiments, the smart nightlight 170 is simply configured to activate the light source when its ambient light sensor detects darkness in the room. Further, in some embodiments, the smart nightlight 170 includes a low-power wireless communication chip (e.g., a ZigBee chip) that periodically sends messages about room occupancy and the amount of light in the room, including immediate messages consistent with the occupancy sensor detecting someone in the room. As described above, these messages can be wirelessly transmitted within the smart home network 202 from node to node (i.e., smart device to smart device) (e.g., using a mesh network) and wirelessly transmitted to the server system 164 via the Internet 162.

[0066] Other examples of low-power nodes include battery-powered smart hazard detectors 104. These smart hazard detectors 104 are typically located in areas where continuous and reliable power is unavailable and can include any number and type of sensors, such as smoke / fire / heat sensors (e.g., thermal radiation sensors), carbon monoxide / carbon dioxide sensors, occupancy / motion sensors, ambient light sensors, ambient temperature sensors, humidity sensors, etc. Additionally, the smart hazard detector 104 can send messages corresponding to each of the respective sensors to other devices and / or server systems 164, such as through the use of a mesh network as described above.

[0067] Examples of speaker nodes include a smart doorbell 106, a smart thermostat 102, a smart wall switch 108, and a smart wall socket 110. These devices are typically located near and connected to a reliable power source, and therefore may include more power-consuming components, such as one or more communication chips capable of bidirectional communication in various protocols.

[0068] In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 includes a service robot 168. Figure 1 The service robot is configured to perform any of a variety of household chores autonomously.

[0069] As per the above reference Figure 1 In some implementation methods, as described above. Figure 1The smart home environment 100 includes a central device 180 that is communicatively coupled to a network 162, either directly or via a network interface 160. The central device 180 is further communicatively coupled to one or more smart devices using a radio communication network available at least in the smart home environment 100. Communication protocols used by the radio communication network include, but are not limited to, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Insteon, EuOcean, Thread, OSIAN, Bluetooth Low Energy, etc. In some embodiments, the central device 180 not only converts data received from each smart device to meet the data format requirements of the network interface 160 or the network 162, but also converts information received from the network interface 160 or the network 162 to meet the data format requirements of the corresponding communication protocol associated with the target smart device. In some embodiments, in addition to data format conversion, the central device 180 further performs preliminary processing on the data received from the smart devices or the information received from the network interface 160 or the network 162. For example, the central device 180 can integrate inputs from multiple sensors / connected devices (including the same and / or different types of sensors / devices), perform higher-level processing on those inputs—for example, to assess the overall environment and coordinate operations between different sensors / devices—and / or provide instructions to different devices based on the set of inputs and programmed processing. It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the network interface 160 and the central device 180 are integrated into a single network device. The functions described herein represent specific implementations of smart devices, control applications running on representative electronic devices (such as smartphones), the central device 180, and servers coupled to the central device via the Internet or other wide area networks. All or part of this function and associated operation can be performed by any element of the system—for example, all or part of the functions described herein as being performed by the implementation of the central device can be performed in different system implementations, wholly or partially on a server, one or more connected smart devices and / or control applications, or different combinations thereof.

[0070] Figure 2B The diagram illustrates a representative operating environment in which server system 164 provides data processing for monitoring and facilitating the review of events (e.g., motion, audio, security, etc.) in the video stream captured by video camera 118. Figure 2B As shown, server system 164 originates from various physical locations (e.g., homes, restaurants, shops, streets, parking lots, and / or...). Figure 1In a smart home environment 100, video sources 222 (including cameras 118) receive video data. Each video source 222 can be linked to one or more viewer accounts, and server system 164 provides video monitoring data of the video source 222 to a client device 220 associated with that viewer account. For example, portable electronic device 166 is an example of client device 220. In some embodiments, server system 164 is a video processing server that provides video processing services to video sources and client devices 220.

[0071] In some embodiments, each of the video sources 222 includes one or more video cameras 118 that capture video and transmit the captured video to the server system 164 substantially in real time. In some embodiments, each of the video sources 222 includes a controller device (not shown) that acts as an intermediary between the one or more cameras 118 and the server system 164. The controller device receives video data from the one or more cameras 118, optionally performs some preliminary processing on the video data, and transmits the video data to the server system 164 substantially in real time on behalf of the one or more cameras 118. In some embodiments, each camera has its own onboard processing capabilities to perform some preliminary processing 164 on the captured video data before transmitting the processed video data (along with metadata obtained through the preliminary processing) to the controller device and / or the server system.

[0072] According to some implementations, each of the client devices 220 includes a client-side module. The client-side module communicates with a server-side module running on the server system 164 via one or more networks 162. The client-side module provides client-side functionality for event monitoring and retrieval processing, as well as communication with the server-side module. The server-side module provides server-side functionality for event monitoring and retrieval processing for any number of client-side modules residing on the respective client devices 220. The server-side module also provides server-side functionality for video processing and camera control for any number of video sources 222 (including any number of control devices and cameras 118).

[0073] In some implementations, server system 164 includes one or more processors 212, a video storage database 210, an account database 214, I / O interfaces 216 to one or more client devices, and I / O interfaces 218 to one or more video sources. The I / O interfaces 216 to one or more clients facilitate client-oriented input and output processing. The account database 214 stores multiple profiles of viewer accounts registered with the video processing server, where each user profile includes account credentials for the respective viewer account and one or more video sources linked to the respective viewer account. The I / O interfaces 218 to one or more video sources facilitate communication with one or more video sources 222 (e.g., a group of one or more cameras 118 and associated controller devices). The video storage database 210 stores raw video data received from video sources 222, as well as various types of metadata—such as motion events, event categories, event category models, event filters, and event masks—for use in data processing for event monitoring and viewing each viewer account.

[0074] Examples of representative client devices 220 include handheld computers, wearable computing devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, cellular phones, smartphones, enhanced general packet radio (EGPRS) mobile phones, media players, navigation devices, game consoles, televisions, remote controls, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, in-vehicle computers, e-book readers, or any two or more combinations of these data processing devices or other data processing devices.

[0075] Examples of one or more networks 162 include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), such as the Internet. One or more networks 162 are implemented using any known network protocol, including various wired or wireless protocols such as Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, or any other suitable communication protocol.

[0076] In some implementations, server system 164 is implemented on one or more stand-alone data processing devices or a distributed computer network. In some implementations, server system 164 also utilizes various virtual devices and / or services from third-party service providers (e.g., third-party cloud service providers) to provide the underlying computing resources and / or infrastructure resources of server system 164. In some implementations, server system 164 includes, but is not limited to, server computers, handheld computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, or any two or more combinations of these data processing devices or other data processing devices.

[0077] like Figure 2B The illustrated server / client environment includes a client-side portion (e.g., a client-side module) and a server-side portion (e.g., a server-side module). The functional division between the client and server portions of the operating environment may vary in different implementations. Similarly, the functional division between video source 222 and server system 164 may vary in different implementations. For example, in some implementations, the client-side module is a thin client that only provides user-facing input and output processing functions and delegates all other data processing functions to a backend server (e.g., server system 164). Similarly, in some implementations, a corresponding video source in video source 222 is a simple video capture device that continuously captures video data and streams it to server system 164 with or without limited local preliminary processing of the video data. Although many aspects of the present technology have been described from the perspective of server system 164, the corresponding actions performed by client device 220 and / or video source 222 will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Similarly, some aspects of the present technology may be described from the perspective of a client device or a video source, and the corresponding actions performed by the video server will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In addition, some aspects of this technology can be performed collaboratively by the server system 164, the client device 220, and the video source 222.

[0078] In some implementations, video source 222 (e.g., camera 118) transmits one or more video data streams to server system 164. In some implementations, the one or more streams may include multiple streams with corresponding resolutions and / or frame rates of the raw video captured by camera 118. In some implementations, the multiple streams may include a "main" stream having a specific resolution and frame rate corresponding to the raw video captured by camera 118, and one or more additional streams. Additional streams may be video streams that are the same as the "main" stream but with different resolutions and / or frame rates, or streams that capture a portion of the "main" stream at the same or different resolutions and / or frame rates (e.g., cropped to include a portion of the main field of view or pixels).

[0079] In some implementations, one or more streams are sent directly from video source 222 to client device 220 (e.g., without being routed to or processed by server system 164). In some implementations, one or more streams are stored at camera 118 (e.g., Figure 4 The camera 118 stores video footage (footage) recorded by the camera in memory 406 and / or on a local storage device (e.g., a dedicated recording device), such as a digital video recorder (DVR). For example, according to some embodiments, camera 118 stores video footage (footage) recorded by the camera over the most recent 24 hours. In some embodiments, portions of one or more streams are stored at camera 118 and / or on a local storage device (e.g., portions corresponding to a specific event or time of interest).

[0080] In some implementations, server system 164 transmits one or more video data streams to client device 220 to facilitate event monitoring by a user. In some implementations, the one or more streams may include multiple streams with corresponding resolutions and / or frame rates of the same video feed. In some implementations, the multiple streams include a “main” stream having a specific resolution and frame rate corresponding to the video feed, and one or more additional streams. The additional streams may be video streams identical to the “main” stream but with different resolutions and / or frame rates, or streams displaying a portion of the “main” stream at the same or different resolutions and / or frame rates as the “main” stream (e.g., cropped to include a portion of the main field of view or pixels), as described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 594,518.

[0081] Figure 3AThis is a block diagram illustrating a server system 164 according to some embodiments. The server system 164 typically includes one or more processing units (CPUs) 302, one or more network interfaces 304 (e.g., including I / O interfaces to one or more client devices and I / O interfaces to one or more electronic devices), memory 306, and one or more communication buses 308 (sometimes referred to as chipsets) for interconnecting these components. Memory 306 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR SRAM, or other random access solid-state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Optionally, memory 306 includes one or more storage devices located remotely from one or more processing units 302. The non-volatile memory within memory 306 or alternatively includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 306 or the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of memory 306 stores programs, modules, and data structures, or subsets or supersets thereof:

[0082] • Operating system 310, which includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware-dependent tasks;

[0083] • Network communication module 312 is used to connect server system 164 to other systems and devices (e.g., client devices, electronic devices, and systems connected to one or more networks 162) via one or more network interfaces 304 (wired or wireless);

[0084] • Server-side module 314 provides server-side functions for device control, data processing, and data retrieval, including but not limited to:

[0085] ○ Data receiving module 3140 is used to receive data from electronic devices (e.g., video data from camera 118) via central device 180, and to prepare the received data for further processing and storage in data storage database 3160;

[0086] ○ Central and device control module 3142 is used to generate and send server-initiated control commands that modify the operating mode of electronic devices (e.g., devices in smart home environment 100) and / or (e.g., from client device 220) receive and forward user-initiated control commands that modify the operating mode of electronic devices;

[0087] ○ Data processing module 3144 is used to process data provided by an electronic device and / or prepare processed data and send it to the device for viewing (e.g., to client device 220 for user viewing), including but not limited to:

[0088] ■ Event handler submodule 3146, for processing event candidates and / or events within the received video stream (e.g., a video stream from camera 118); and

[0089] ■ User interface submodule 3150 is used for communication with users (e.g., sending alerts, timeline events, etc., and receiving user edits and region definitions, etc.).

[0090] ●Server database 316, including but not limited to:

[0091] ○ Data storage database 3160 is used to store data associated with each electronic device (e.g., each camera) for each user account, as well as data processing models, processed data results, and other relevant metadata associated with the data (e.g., name of the data result, location of the electronic device, creation time, duration, settings of the electronic device, etc.), wherein (optionally) all or part of the data and / or processing associated with the central device 180 or the smart device is securely stored.

[0092] ● Account database 3162 is used to store account information of user accounts, including user account information such as user profile 3163, information and settings of linked central and electronic devices (e.g., central device identifier), central device specific secrets, related user and hardware characteristics (e.g., service layer, device model, storage capacity, processing power, etc.), user interface settings, data viewing preferences, etc., wherein the information of associated electronic devices includes, but is not limited to, one or more device identifiers (e.g., MAC address and UUID), device specific secrets and display titles;

[0093] ○ Device information database 3164 is used to store device information related to one or more devices, such as device profile 3165, for example, device identifiers and central device-specific secrets, regardless of whether the corresponding central device is associated with any user account; and

[0094] ○ Event information database 3166 is used to store event information such as event record 3168, for example, event log information, event categories, etc.

[0095] Each of the aforementioned elements can be stored in one or more of the aforementioned memory devices and corresponds to an instruction set for performing the aforementioned functions. The aforementioned modules or programs (i.e., instruction sets) need not be implemented as separate software programs, processes, or modules; therefore, subsets of these modules can be combined or otherwise rearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, optionally, memory 306 stores a subset of the aforementioned modules and data structures. Additionally, optionally, memory 306 stores additional modules and data structures not described above.

[0096] Figure 3B The diagram illustrates various data structures used in some implementations, including event log 3168-i, user profile 3163-j, and device profile 3165-j. Event log 3168-i corresponds to event i and the data for event i. In some cases, the data for motion event i includes event start data 31681 indicating when and / or how the event started, event segment data 31682, raw video data 31683, event end data 31684 indicating when and / or how the event ended, event feature data 31685, scene feature data 31686, associated user information 31687, and associated device information 31688. In some cases, event log 3168-i includes only a subset of the above data. In some instances, event log 3168-i includes additional event data, such as data regarding event / motion masks, not shown.

[0097] Event start data 31681 includes date and time information such as a timestamp and optionally includes additional information such as current exercise volume, exercise start location, current audio volume, and audio characteristics. Similarly, event end data 31684 includes date and time information such as a timestamp and optionally includes additional information such as current exercise volume, exercise start location, current audio volume, and audio characteristics.

[0098] Event segment 31682 includes information about the segmentation of motion event i. In some instances, the event segment is stored separately from the original video data 31683. In some cases, the event segment is stored at a lower display resolution than the original video data. For example, the event segment may optionally be stored at 480p or 780p, while the original video data is stored at 1080i or 1080p. Storing the event segment at a lower display resolution allows the system to invest less time and resources in retrieving and processing the event segment. In some cases, the event segments are not stored separately, and the segmentation information includes a reference to the original video data 31683 and date and time information for reproducing the event segment. In some implementations, the event segment includes one or more audio segments (e.g., corresponding to video segments).

[0099] Event feature data 31685 includes information about event features such as event category / classification, object masks, motion masks, identified / identified / tracked moving objects (sometimes also called blobs), information about moving object features (e.g., object color, object size, speed, size variation, etc.), and information about activity in the region of interest. Scene feature data 31686 includes information about the scene where the event occurred, such as depth map information, information about the location of windows, televisions, fans, ceilings / floors, etc., information about whether the scene is indoors or outdoors, and information about the region of interest. In some implementations, event feature data includes audio data such as volume, pitch, and characterization.

[0100] Associated user information 31687 includes information about users associated with the event, such as users identified in the event, users who received notification of the event, etc. In some cases, associated user information 31687 includes a link, pointer, or reference to a user profile 3163. Associated device information 31688 includes information about one or more devices involved in the event (e.g., camera 118 recording the event). In some instances, associated device information 31688 includes a link, pointer, or reference to a device profile 3165.

[0101] User profile 3163-j corresponds to user j associated with the smart home network (e.g., smart home network 202), such as a user of hub device 204, a user identified by hub device 204, a user receiving notifications from hub device 204 or from server system 164, etc. In some instances, user profile 3163-j includes user preferences 31631, user settings 31632, associated device information 31633, and associated event information 31634. In some instances, user profile 3163-j includes only a subset of the above data. In some instances, user profile 3163-j includes additional user information not shown, such as information about other users associated with user j.

[0102] User preferences 31631 include explicit user preferences input by the user and implicit and / or inferred user preferences determined by the system (e.g., server system 164 and / or client device 220). In some instances, inferred user preferences are based on historical user activity and / or the historical activity of other users. User settings 31632 include information about settings set by user j, such as notification settings, device settings, etc. In some instances, user settings 31632 include device settings of the device associated with user j.

[0103] The associated device information 31633 includes information about devices associated with user j, such as devices within the user's smart home environment 100 and / or client device 220. In some instances, the associated device information 31633 includes a link, pointer, or reference to a corresponding device profile 3165. The associated event information 31634 includes information about events associated with user j, such as events identifying user j, events notifying user j, events corresponding to user j's smart home environment 100, etc. In some instances, the associated event information 31634 includes a link, pointer, or reference to a corresponding event record 3168.

[0104] Device profile 3165-k corresponds to device k associated with the smart home network (e.g., smart home network 202), such as hub device 204, camera 118, client device 220, etc. In some instances, device profile 3165-k includes device settings 31651, associated device information 31652, associated user information 31653, associated event information 31654, and environmental data 31655. In some instances, device profile 3165-k includes only a subset of the above data. In some instances, device profile 3165-k includes additional device information (not shown), such as information about whether the device is currently active.

[0105] Device settings 31651 include information about the current settings of device k, such as location information, operating mode information, etc. In some instances, device settings 31651 are user-specific and set by the corresponding user of device k. Associated device information 31652 includes information about other devices associated with device k, such as other devices linked to device k and / or other devices in the same smart home network as device k. In some instances, associated device information 31652 includes links, pointers, or references to the corresponding device profile 3165 corresponding to the associated device.

[0106] The associated user information 31653 includes information about users associated with the device, such as users who receive notifications from the device, users who register with the device, and users associated with the device's smart home network. In some instances, the associated user information 31653 includes links, pointers, or references to user profiles 3163 corresponding to the associated users.

[0107] The associated event information 31654 includes information about events associated with device k, such as historical events related to device k. In some instances, the associated event information 31654 includes links, pointers, or references to event records 3168 corresponding to the associated events.

[0108] Environmental data 31655 includes information about the environment of device k, such as whether the device is outdoors or indoors, the ambient light level, the expected amount of activity in the environment (e.g., whether the device is in a private residence or a busy commercial property), and information about environmental objects (e.g., camera depth mapping information).

[0109] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating a representative smart device 204 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the smart device 204 (e.g., Figure 1 Any device in the smart home environment 100 includes one or more processing units (e.g., CPU, ASIC, FPGA, microprocessor, etc.) 402, one or more communication interfaces 404, memory 406, a communication module 442 with a radio 440, and one or more communication buses 408 (sometimes referred to as chipsets) for interconnecting these components. In some embodiments, the user interface 410 includes one or more output devices 412 that enable the presentation of media content, including one or more speakers and / or one or more visual displays. In some embodiments, the user interface 410 also includes one or more input devices 414, which include user interface components that facilitate user input, such as a keyboard, mouse, voice command input unit or microphone, touchscreen display, touch-sensitive input pad, gesture capture camera, or other input buttons or controls. Additionally, some smart devices 204 use microphones and voice recognition or cameras and gesture recognition to supplement or replace keyboards. In some embodiments, smart devices 204 include one or more image / video capture devices 418 (e.g., cameras, video cameras, scanners, light sensor units).

[0110] For example, the built-in sensor 490 includes one or more thermal radiation sensors, ambient temperature sensors, humidity sensors, IR sensors, occupancy sensors (e.g., using RFID sensors), ambient light sensors, motion detectors, accelerometers and / or gyroscopes.

[0111] Radio 440 enables one or more radio communication networks in a smart home environment and allows smart device 204 to communicate with other devices. In some implementations, radio 440 is capable of using the following for data communication: any of a variety of custom or standard wireless protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Smart, ISA100.5A, WirelessHART, MiWi, etc.) and custom or standard wired protocols (e.g., Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.), and / or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols that were not developed prior to the date of this filing.

[0112] For example, communication interface 404 includes hardware capable of data communication using any of the following: any of various custom or standard wireless protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Smart, ISA100.5A, WirelessHART, MiWi, etc.) and / or any of various custom or standard wired protocols (e.g., Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.) or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols that have not been developed prior to the date of this filing.

[0113] Memory 306 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid-state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. The non-volatile memory within memory 406, or alternatively memory 406, includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 406 or the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of memory 406 stores programs, modules, and data structures, or subsets or supersets thereof:

[0114] • Operation logic 420 includes processes for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware-related tasks;

[0115] • Device communication module 422 is used to connect to and communicate with other network devices (e.g., network interface 160, such as routers, network storage devices, network routing devices, server systems 164, etc. that provide Internet connectivity) connected to one or more networks 162 via one or more communication interfaces 404 (wired or wireless);

[0116] • Input processing module 426 is used to detect one or more user inputs or interactions from one or more input devices 414 and to interpret the detected inputs or interactions;

[0117] • User interface module 428 is used to provide and display a user interface in which settings, captured data and / or other data of one or more devices (e.g., smart device 204 and / or other devices in smart home environment 100) can be configured and / or viewed.

[0118] • One or more applications 430 executed by the smart device (e.g., games, social networking applications, smart home applications and / or other web-based or non-web-based applications) for controlling the device (e.g., executing commands, sending commands, and / or configuring settings of the smart device 204 and / or other client / electronic devices), and for viewing data captured by the device (e.g., device status and settings, captured data, or other information about the smart device 204 and / or other client / electronic devices);

[0119] • Device-side module 432 provides device-side functions for device control, data processing, and data retrieval, including but not limited to:

[0120] ○ Command receiving module 4320 is used to receive, forward and / or execute instructions and control commands (e.g. from client device 220, from server system 164, from user input detected on user interface 410, etc.) for operating smart device 204;

[0121] ○ Data processing module 4322 is used to process data from one or more inputs (e.g., input device 414, image / video capture device 418, position detection device 416), sensors (e.g., built-in sensor 490), interfaces (e.g., communication interface 404, radio 440), and / or other components of smart device 204, and to prepare the processed data and send it to the device for viewing (e.g., send it to client device 220 for user viewing); and

[0122] • Device data 434 stores data associated with a device (e.g., smart device 204), including but not limited to:

[0123] ○ Account data 4340 stores information related to the user account loaded on the smart device 204, including cached login credentials, smart device identifiers (e.g., MAC address and UUID), user interface settings, display preferences, authentication tokens and tags, password keys, etc.

[0124] ○ Local data storage database 4342 is used to selectively store raw or processed data associated with smart device 204 (e.g., video surveillance footage captured by camera 118);

[0125] ● Bypass module 436, configured to detect whether radio 440 is transmitting a signal via a corresponding antenna coupled to radio 440, and accordingly couple radio 440 to its corresponding antenna via a bypass path or amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier); and

[0126] ● Transmission access module 438 is used to authorize or deny transmission access to one or more radios 440 (e.g., based on detected control signals and transmission requests).

[0127] Each of the aforementioned elements can be stored in one or more of the aforementioned memory devices and corresponds to an instruction set for performing the aforementioned functions. The aforementioned modules or programs (i.e., instruction sets) need not be implemented as separate software programs, processes, or modules; therefore, subsets of these modules can be combined or otherwise rearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, optionally, memory 406 stores a subset of the aforementioned modules and data structures. Additionally, optionally, memory 406 stores additional modules and data structures not described above.

[0128] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a representative system architecture 500. In some embodiments, server system 164 includes functional modules of event processor 3146, event classifier 507, and user-facing front-end 3150. Event processor 3146 obtains event candidates (e.g., by processing a video stream or by receiving event start information from video source 501). In some embodiments, event candidates include motion event candidates. In some embodiments, event candidates include audio and / or visual aspects. Event classifier 507 classifies event candidates into different event categories. User-facing front-end 3150 generates event alerts and facilitates viewing of events by the user through a viewing interface on client device 220. User-facing front-end 3150 also receives user edits on event categories, user preferences for alerts and event filters, and region definitions for regions of interest. The event classifier optionally refines the event classification model and results based on user edits received by user-facing front-end 3150. Server system 164 also includes a video source data database 509, an event classification model database 510, and an event data and event mask database 511. In some implementations, each of these databases is part of server database 316 (e.g., part of data storage database 3160).

[0129] Server system 164 receives one or more video streams 504 from video source 501 (e.g., video source 222) and optionally receives event candidate information 502 such as event start information (e.g., action start information) and source information 503 such as device settings for camera 118 (e.g., device profile 3165 for camera 118). In some embodiments, event handler submodule 3146 communicates with video source 501. The server system sends event alerts 512 and event timeline information 513 to client device 220. Server system 164 optionally receives user information from client device 220, such as edits to event categories 514 and region definitions 515.

[0130] The data processing pipeline processes video information (e.g., live video feeds) received from video source 501 (e.g., including camera 118 and optional controller devices) and / or audio information received in real time from one or more smart devices to identify and categorize events occurring in the smart home environment, and sends real-time event alerts and updated event timelines to client devices 220 associated with the viewer's account in the smart home environment. The data processing pipeline also processes stored information (such as stored video feeds from video source 501) to re-evaluate and / or reclassify events as needed, such as when new information about the event is obtained and / or when new information about the event category is obtained (e.g., new activity areas obtained from users).

[0131] After video and / or audio data is captured at a smart device, the data is processed to determine if potential event candidates exist. In some embodiments, the data is initially processed at the smart device (e.g., video source 501 or camera 118). Thus, in some embodiments, the smart device sends event candidate information, such as event start information, to server system 164. In some embodiments, the data is processed at server system 164 for event start detection. In some embodiments, the video and / or audio data is stored on server system 164 (e.g., in video and source data database 509). In some embodiments, the video stream is stored on a server separate from server system 164. In some embodiments, after motion start is detected, the relevant portion of the video stream is retrieved from storage (e.g., from video and source data database 509).

[0132] In some implementations, the event recognition process includes segmenting the video stream into multiple segments and then classifying event candidates within each segment. In some implementations, classifying event candidates includes aggregating background factors, entity detection and recognition, motion vector generation for each moving entity, entity features, and scene features to generate motion features for the event candidates. In some implementations, the event recognition process further includes classifying each segment, generating or updating event logs based on segment classification, generating event alerts based on segment classification, classifying completed events, updating event logs based on completed events, and generating event alerts based on completed events. In some implementations, classification is based on determining that an event occurs within a specific region of interest. In some implementations, classification is based on determining that an event candidate relates to one or more regions of interest. In some implementations, classification is based on audio data and / or audio event characteristic descriptions.

[0133] The event analysis and classification process can be performed collaboratively by smart devices (e.g., video source 501) and server system 164, and the division of tasks can vary depending on different implementations, different equipment capability configurations, and / or different network and server load conditions. After server system 164 classifies the event candidates, the results of event detection and classification can be sent to viewers associated with the smart home environment.

[0134] In some implementations, for each of the video sources 222, server system 164 stores raw or compressed video data (e.g., in video and source data database 509), an event classification model (e.g., in event classification model database 510), and event masks and metadata for other events (e.g., in event data and event mask database 511). In some implementations, the video data is stored at one or more display resolutions such as 480p, 780p, 1080i, 1080p, etc.

[0135] In some implementations, video source 501 (e.g., camera 118) feeds live video to remote server system 164 via one or more networks (e.g., network 162). In some implementations, video data transmission continues as camera 118 captures video data. In some implementations, video data transmission is independent of the content of the video data, and video data is uploaded from video source 501 to server system 164 for storage, regardless of whether any motion events are captured in the video data. In some implementations, video data may be stored by default on local storage at video source 501, and only the portion of video corresponding to motion event candidates detected in the video stream is uploaded to server system 164 (e.g., in real-time).

[0136] In some implementations, video source 501 dynamically determines at what display resolution the video stream will be uploaded to server system 164. In some implementations, video source 501 dynamically determines which portions of the video stream will be uploaded to server system 164. For example, in some implementations, depending on the current server load and network conditions, video source 501 may optionally prioritize uploading the portion of video corresponding to a newly detected motion event candidate over other portions of the video stream that do not contain any motion events; or video source 501 may prioritize uploading the portion of video corresponding to a newly detected motion event candidate at a higher display resolution than other portions of the video stream. This upload prioritization helps ensure that important motion events are detected in real time and alerted to the viewer even when network conditions and server load are suboptimal. In some implementations, video source 501 implements two parallel upload connections, one for uploading the continuous video stream captured by camera 118, and the other for uploading the portion of video corresponding to the detected motion event candidate. At any given time, video source 501 determines whether it is necessary to pause uploading the continuous video stream to ensure sufficient bandwidth is allocated for uploading the video segment corresponding to the newly detected motion event candidate.

[0137] In some implementations, video streams uploaded to cloud storage have lower quality (e.g., lower resolution, lower frame rate, higher compression ratio, etc.) compared to video segments uploaded for motion event processing.

[0138] like Figure 5 As shown, video source 501 includes camera 118 and optional controller device. In some embodiments, camera 118 includes sufficient onboard processing power to perform all necessary local video processing tasks (e.g., cue detection of motion event candidates, video upload prioritization, network connectivity management, etc.), and camera 118 communicates directly with server system 164 without any controller device acting as an intermediary. In some embodiments, camera 118 captures video data and sends the video data to the controller device for necessary local video processing tasks. The controller device may optionally perform local processing tasks for multiple cameras. For example, in a smart home environment (e.g., Figure 1In a smart home environment 100, multiple cameras may be present, and a single controller device receives video data from each camera and processes the video data to detect motion event candidates in the video stream from each camera. The controller device is responsible for allocating sufficient outgoing network bandwidth to transmit the video segments containing motion event candidates from each camera to the server, and then using the remaining bandwidth to transmit the video streams from each camera to the server system 164. In some embodiments, continuous video streams are sent and stored at one server facility, while video segments containing motion event candidates are sent to different server facilities and processed there.

[0139] In some implementations, the smart device sends additional source information 503 to the server system 164. This additional source information 503 may include information about the device's state (e.g., IR mode, AE mode, DTPZ settings, etc.) and / or information about the device's environment (e.g., indoor, outdoor, nighttime, daytime, etc.). In some implementations, the server system 164 uses the source information 503 to perform event detection and / or event candidate classification. In some implementations, the additional source information 503 includes one or more preliminary results derived from video processing performed by the camera 118 (e.g., classification, object recognition, motion masking, etc.).

[0140] In some implementations, the video portion after the start of an event is detected is divided into multiple segments. In some implementations, segmentation continues until event end information is obtained (sometimes referred to as an "event end signal"). In some implementations, segmentation occurs within server system 164 (e.g., by event handler module 3146). In some implementations, segmentation includes generating overlapping segments. For example, a 10-second segment is generated per second, such that a new segment overlaps with the previous segment by 9 seconds.

[0141] In some implementations, each of the multiple segments has the same or similar duration (e.g., each segment has a duration of 10-12 seconds). In some implementations, the first segment has a shorter duration than subsequent segments. Maintaining a short first segment allows for initial classification and alerting in real-time based on processing that first segment. The initial classification can then be revised based on processing subsequent segments. In some implementations, a new segment is generated if a moving entity enters a new region of interest.

[0142] In some implementations, after the event processor module obtains the video portion corresponding to the event candidate, the event processor module 3146 obtains background factors and performs moving entity detection and recognition, motion vector generation for each moving entity, and feature recognition. Once the event processor module 3146 completes these tasks, the event classifier 507 aggregates all information and generates a classification of the moving event candidates. In some implementations, false positive suppression may be performed to reject some moving event candidates before submitting them for event classification. In some implementations, determining whether a moving event candidate is a false positive includes determining whether the moving event candidate occurs within a specific region. In some implementations, determining whether a moving event candidate is a false positive includes analyzing the importance score of the moving event candidate. The importance score of the moving event candidate may optionally be based on regions of interest, background features, motion vectors, scene features, entity features, motion features, motion trajectories, etc., associated with the moving event candidate.

[0143] In some implementations, the video source 501 has sufficient processing power to perform background estimation, moving entity recognition, motion vector generation, and / or feature recognition, and effectively performs these functions.

[0144] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating a representative client device 220 associated with a user account according to some embodiments. Typically, client device 220 includes one or more processing units (CPUs) 602, one or more network interfaces 604, memory 606, and one or more communication buses 608 (sometimes referred to as chipsets) for interconnecting these components. Optionally, the client device also includes a user interface 610 and one or more built-in sensors 690 (e.g., accelerometers and gyroscopes). User interface 610 includes one or more output devices 612 that enable the presentation of media content, including one or more speakers and / or one or more visual displays. User interface 610 also includes one or more input devices 614, which include user interface components that facilitate user input, such as a keyboard, mouse, voice command input unit or microphone, touchscreen display, touch-sensitive input pad, gesture capture camera, or other input buttons or controls. Additionally, some client devices use microphone and voice recognition or camera and gesture recognition to supplement or replace the keyboard. In some embodiments, the client device includes one or more cameras, scanners, or light-sensitive sensor units (not shown) for capturing images. Optionally, the client device includes a location detection device 616 for determining the location of the client device, such as a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) or other geolocation receiver.

[0145] Memory 606 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR SRAM, or other random access solid-state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Optionally, memory 606 includes one or more storage devices located remotely from one or more processing units 602. The non-volatile memory within memory 606 or alternatively memory 606 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 606 or the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of memory 606 stores programs, modules, and data structures, or subsets or supersets thereof:

[0146] • Operating system 618, which includes programs for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware-related tasks;

[0147] • Network communication module 620 is used to connect client device 220 to other systems and devices (e.g., client devices, electronic devices, and systems connected to one or more networks 162) via one or more network interfaces 604 (wired or wireless);

[0148] • Input processing module 622 is used to detect one or more user inputs or interactions from one or more input devices 614 and to interpret the detected inputs or interactions;

[0149] • One or more applications 624 (e.g., games, social networking applications, smart home applications and / or other web-based or non-web applications) are executed by a client device for controlling the device (e.g., sending commands, configuration settings, etc. to a central device and / or other client or electronic device) and for viewing data captured by the device (e.g., device status and settings, captured data, or other information about the central device or other connected devices).

[0150] • User interface module 622 is used to provide and display a user interface in which settings, captured data, and / or other data of one or more devices (e.g., smart device 204 in smart home environment 100) can be configured and / or viewed.

[0151] ● Client-side module 628 provides client-side functions for device control, data processing, and data retrieval, including but not limited to:

[0152] ○ Central device and device control module 6280, used to generate control commands based on user input for modifying the operating mode of central device or electronic device; and

[0153] ○ Data retrieval module 6282, used to provide a user interface for retrieving data processed by server system 164; and

[0154] ●Customer Data 630 stores data associated with user accounts and electronic devices, including but not limited to:

[0155] ○ Account data 6300 stores and loads information related to the user account on both the client device and the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device of video source 222) associated with the user account. This information includes cached login credentials, central device identifiers (e.g., MAC address and UUID), electronic device identifiers (e.g., MAC address and UUID), user interface settings, display preferences, authentication tokens and tags, password keys, etc.

[0156] ○ Local data storage database 6302 is used to selectively store raw or processed data associated with electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices such as video source 222 of camera 118).

[0157] Each of the elements identified above can be stored in one or more of the aforementioned memory devices and corresponds to an instruction set for performing the functions described above. The modules or programs identified above (i.e., instruction sets) need not be implemented as separate software programs, processes, modules, or data structures; therefore, subsets of these modules can be combined or otherwise rearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, optionally, memory 606 stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Additionally, optionally, memory 606 stores additional modules and data structures not described above.

[0158] Figures 7A to 7B This is a perspective view of camera assembly 118 according to some embodiments. Figure 7A The first perspective view of camera 118 is shown. Figure 7AAs shown, camera 118 includes a head assembly 702, a base assembly 704, and a cable 714 (e.g., for powering camera 118 and / or transmitting data between camera 118 and a second electronic device). Head assembly 702 includes a front panel 706 and a housing 711 (sometimes also referred to as a shell). In some embodiments, housing 711 includes a metal shield configured for impact resistance. In some embodiments, housing 711 includes a plastic exterior configured to resist water and / or sunlight damage. According to some embodiments, front panel 706 has an IR transparent portion for an IR illuminator, a visible light and IR transparent portion 707 for an image sensor, and one or more translucent portions (corresponding to a peripheral light sensor and / or status LED). According to some embodiments, front panel 706 also includes apertures 708 and 710 for microphones. According to some embodiments, the periphery of front panel 706 is configured to direct light emitted from the halo outwards from the face of camera 118.

[0159] According to some embodiments, housing 711 includes a hole 713 for a microphone and a plurality of holes 712 for a speaker. In some embodiments, each hole 708, 710 and 713 includes a waterproof membrane configured to prevent and / or prevent water from entering the interior of camera 118.

[0160] In some embodiments, the speaker holes 712 extend directly outward from the speaker, thus forming holes with an elliptical outer surface. In some embodiments, the speaker holes 712 are parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the speaker holes 712 extend outward at an angle consistent with the surface of the housing 711, such that these holes have a circular rather than elliptical outer surface.

[0161] In some embodiments, the housing 711 has two or more layers. In some embodiments, the inner layer is made of thermally conductive resin. In some embodiments, the outer layer is a structural sheath configured to protect the camera 118 from environmental conditions such as moisture or electromagnetic charges (e.g., static electricity). In some embodiments, the structural sheath is configured to protect the camera 118 from impacts, such as collisions with another object (e.g., a baseball bat) or the ground.

[0162] Figure 7B The rear perspective view of camera 118 is shown. (As shown) Figure 7B As shown, cable 714 can be inserted into base assembly 704. For example, the user can store cable 714 separately from camera 118 when needed. Figure 7B Screws 715 for securing the base assembly 704 to a surface (e.g., a wall or ceiling) are also shown.

[0163] In some implementations, the camera assembly 118 is configured to have two or more degrees of freedom (e.g., tilt and deflection). Figures 8A to 8D This is a component view of camera assembly 118 according to some embodiments. Figure 8A The head assembly 702, which has a front face 706 and a housing 711, is shown. Figure 8A An unfolded view of the base assembly 704 is also shown, including the ball assembly 802, the hinge frame 804, the hinge housing 806, and the base 808.

[0164] In some embodiments, the ball assembly 802 is positioned against a first friction surface of the hinge frame 804, the first friction surface being configured to be immediately adjacent to the ball assembly 802. In some embodiments, a second friction surface is positioned and configured to be immediately adjacent to a second portion of the ball assembly 802. In some embodiments, the first friction surface is positioned between the hinge housing 806 and the ball assembly 802. In some embodiments, the first and second friction surfaces are made of the same material. In other embodiments, the first and second friction surfaces are made of different materials, for example, selected to have different coefficients of friction. For example, in some embodiments, the second friction surface is selected to have a lower coefficient of friction than the first friction surface. In other embodiments, the second friction surface is selected to have a higher coefficient of friction than the first friction surface. In some embodiments, the surface of the ball assembly 802 is made of metal or a metal alloy, and the first and second friction surfaces are made of plastic or thermoplastic materials. According to some embodiments, the surface of the ball assembly 802 and / or the first and second friction surfaces are made of materials with relatively low wear rates or high durability. In some embodiments, the surface of the ball assembly 802 is treated to produce a desired amount of friction. For example, in some embodiments, the surface of the ball assembly 802 is textured, for example, by sandblasting, etching, etc. In some embodiments, the surface of the ball assembly 802 is chemically treated, for example, anodized to produce an oxide surface layer or electroplated. In some embodiments, the surface of the ball assembly 802 is made of an aluminum alloy that has been sandblasted and / or anodized, for example, 6063 aluminum alloy.

[0165] The first and second friction surfaces may optionally be made of a different material than the material used to form the surface of the ball assembly 802. In some embodiments, the first and second friction surfaces are made of a polymeric or composite material. In some embodiments, the first and second friction surfaces are made of a relatively low-friction material. In some embodiments, using a low-friction material allows the head assembly 802 to move more smoothly around the surface of the ball assembly 802. For example, in some embodiments, the first and / or second friction surfaces comprise polyoxymethylene or acetal resin (e.g., (Available under the trademark). In some embodiments, the first friction surface and / or the second friction surface comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or PTFE incorporated with other polymers (e.g., acetal resin impregnated with PTFE fibers).

[0166] In some embodiments, the hinge assembly of the present invention is arranged to further shield cables connected to electronic devices (e.g., coupled to connector 714) in the head assembly 702. In some embodiments, an external power / data cable, such as connector 714, is routed to a mounting plate through a side or bottom opening. In some embodiments, connector 714 is a USB cable having, for example, a USB 2.0 plug, a USB 3.0 plug, a USB-A plug, a USB-B plug, a USB-C plug, a mini-USB plug, or a micro-USB plug. In some embodiments, base assembly 704 includes a receptacle for receiving and electrically connecting to the plug of connector 714. In some embodiments, the receptacle is a component of base assembly 704. In some such embodiments, the receptacle is received within a stem of base assembly 714. In some embodiments, the stem includes a cavity 202 into which the plug of connector 714 can be inserted to reach the receptacle. In some embodiments, the plug of connector 714 includes an outer sealing ring configured to form a liquid-tight seal with the inner cavity wall when the plug is inserted into the inner cavity to prevent water leakage into camera 118. In some embodiments, a socket is located at one end of the rod and positioned within ball assembly 802. In some embodiments, the socket may further be positioned on or electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB), which may also be positioned and secured within ball assembly 802. The PCB may, for example, include electronic circuitry that communicates electronically with and is configured to receive signals from and / or send signals to the socket and connector 714. In some embodiments, the PCB may include a power converter (e.g., a buck converter or a DC-to-DC buck converter). In some embodiments, voltage is input from connector 714 to camera 118, and the power converter is configured to reduce the input voltage.

[0167] In some embodiments, camera assembly 118 is configured to be mounted to mounting plate 826 without the need for specific tools. In other embodiments, camera assembly 118 is configured to require specific tools for removal from mounting plate 826. Referring now to... Figures 8B to 8DIn some embodiments, camera 118 includes an attachment mechanism, generally designated 809, configured to secure base assembly 704 to mounting plate 826. In some embodiments, attachment mechanism 809 is configured to releasably secure base assembly 704 to mounting plate 826. In some embodiments, base assembly 704 is secured to mounting plate 826 by a first movement by a user of the device and detached from mounting plate by a second movement by the user. In some embodiments, the second movement is different from and / or a reverse movement of the first movement. In some embodiments, for example, base assembly 704 is configured to be securely engaged with mounting plate 826 by pressing base assembly 704 into mounting plate 826 in a linear movement along a first direction perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to back surface 828, while base assembly 704 is configured to disengage from mounting plate 826 by a different second movement (e.g., rotational movement). In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 is configured to allow the base assembly 704 to be securely engaged to the mounting plate 826 without the need for or the use of any tools. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 is configured to allow the base assembly 704 to be disengaged from the mounting plate 826 using only one or more separate tools. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 is configured to allow the base assembly 704 to form a snap-fit ​​engagement with the mounting plate 806. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism is positioned on the base assembly 704 and configured to engage with features of the mounting plate 806. In some such embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 is positioned on the mounting surface 812 of the base assembly 704 opposite the outer surface 834. In some alternative embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 is positioned on the mounting plate 826 and configured to engage with features of the base assembly 704. In some embodiments, when the base assembly 704 is securely engaged with the mounting plate 826, the attachment mechanism 809 is fully positioned and / or concealed between the outer surface 834 of the base assembly and the back surface 828 of the mounting plate 826.

[0168] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 includes a first arm 848 mounted to the base assembly 704 and rotatable about a first pivot. The first arm 848 may be configured to rotate about the first pivot in a plane parallel to the mounting surface 142. In some embodiments, a first biasing member is further positioned and configured to bias the first arm 848 about the first pivot in a first direction of rotation. The first biasing member may be a spring, such as a compression spring, torsion spring, leaf spring, cantilever spring, etc. In some embodiments, the first arm 848 includes an engagement edge 844 configured to contact a portion of the mounting plate 826 when the base assembly 704 is engaged with the mounting plate 826. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the base assembly 704 can be engaged with the mounting plate 826 by aligning one or more keyed features (e.g., keyed surface 130) of the mounting plate 826 with corresponding features (e.g., corresponding surface 132) of the base assembly 704, and by linearly translating the base assembly 704 toward the mounting plate 826 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the back surface 134.

[0169] In some embodiments, during engagement of the base assembly 704 with the mounting plate 826, an engagement edge 844 is configured to contact an inner wall 842 of the mounting plate 826, which at least partially surrounds the opening 822. In some embodiments, the inner wall 842 includes a lip 836 that partially defines a recess 846 along the outer surface of the inner wall 842, the recess 846 being sized to receive a first arm 848. In some embodiments, the first arm 848 is configured to snap around the lip 836 and the recess 846. In some embodiments, the engagement edge 844 is configured to contact the lip 836, which, as the base assembly 704 engages with the mounting plate 826, causes the first arm 848 to rotate about a first pivot and allows the first arm 848 to pass over the lip 836 and be received within the recess 846. In some such embodiments, the engagement edge 844 includes a chamfered or beveled surface shaped and configured to convert forces acting on the chamfered or beveled surface into lateral forces, causing the first arm 848 to move about a first pivot in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. In some embodiments, the lip 836 also includes a chamfered or rounded edge configured to contact the chamfered or beveled surface of the engagement edge 844 and help guide the first arm 848 over the lip 836. In some embodiments, once the first arm 848 has passed the lip 836, a first biasing member biases the first arm 848 into the recess 846. In some embodiments, when the first arm 848 is received within the recess 846, the base assembly 704 is securely engaged with the mounting plate 826. In some embodiments, when the first arm 848 is received within the recess 846, the lip 836 interlocks with the first arm 848 to prevent disengagement of the base assembly 704 from the mounting plate 826.

[0170] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 further includes a second arm 838. In some embodiments, the second arm 838 operates cooperatively with the first arm 848 to clamp onto a protrusion on the mounting plate 826—for example, the inner wall 842. In some embodiments, the first arm 848 and the second arm 838 are configured to rotate in opposite directions relative to each other. The second arm 838 may be configured to rotate about a second pivot in a plane parallel to the mounting surface 142. In some embodiments, a second biasing member is further positioned and configured to bias the second arm 838 about the second pivot in a first direction of rotation. In some embodiments, the second biasing member is configured to bias the second arm 838 toward the first arm 848, and the first biasing member is configured to bias the first arm 848 toward the second arm 838. The second biasing member may be a spring, such as a compression spring, a torsion spring, a leaf spring, a cantilever spring, etc. In some embodiments, the second arm 838 further includes an engagement edge 840 configured to contact a portion of the mounting plate 826 when the base assembly 704 is engaged with the mounting plate 826.

[0171] In some embodiments, during engagement of the base assembly 704 with the mounting plate 826, the engagement edge 840 of the second arm 838 is configured to contact the inner wall 842 of the mounting plate 826. In some embodiments, the recess 846 is sized to receive the second arm 838. In some embodiments, the second arm 838 is configured to snap around the lip 836 and the recess 846. In some embodiments, the engagement edge 840 is configured to contact the lip 836, which, as the base assembly 704 engages with the mounting plate 826, further causes the second arm 838 to rotate about a second pivot and allows the second arm 838 to pass over the lip 836 and be received within the recess 846. In some such embodiments, the engagement edge 840 includes a chamfered or beveled surface shaped and configured to convert forces acting on the chamfered or beveled surface into lateral forces, causing the second arm 838 to move about the first pivot in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. Therefore, in some embodiments, the lip 836 is configured to move the second arm 838 away from the first arm 848 as the base assembly 704 engages with the mounting plate 826. In some embodiments, the lip 836 may also include a chamfered or rounded edge configured to contact the chamfered or rounded surface of the engagement edge 840 and help guide the second arm 838 over the lip 836. According to some embodiments, once the second arm 838 has over the lip 836, a second biasing member can bias the second arm 838 into the recess 846. In some embodiments, the base assembly 704 is securely engaged with the mounting plate 826 when both the first arm 848 and the second arm 838 are received in the recess 846. In some embodiments, the lip 836 interlocks with the first arm 848 and the second arm 838 when the first arm 848 and the second arm 838 are received in the recess 846 to prevent the base assembly 704 from disengaging from the mounting plate 826.

[0172] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 809 further includes a release mechanism configured to displace the first arm 848 and / or the second arm 838 out of the recess 846 to allow the base assembly 704 to disengage from the mounting plate 826. In some embodiments, a user can access the release mechanism through an opening in the outer surface 834 of the base assembly 704. In some embodiments, the release mechanism requires the insertion of a separate tool into the opening to be actuated. In some embodiments, the release mechanism requires the insertion and rotation of a tool into the opening. Similar to a safety screw, in some embodiments, the opening may be shaped such that only tools with a specific predetermined shape (e.g., a specific cross-sectional shape) can fit into the opening and actuate the release mechanism. According to some embodiments, requiring a specific shape for the tool, particularly a less common shape, can help prevent unauthorized removal of the base assembly 704 from the mounting plate 826. In some embodiments, the release mechanism may be designed to require a wrench or screwdriver, having, for example, one of the following shapes: hexagonal, torx, square, triangular, star-shaped, polydrive, torq-set, or any other shape known for turning a safety screw. In some embodiments, the tool must be a hex wrench. In some embodiments, the opening is configured such that a flathead or Phillips head screwdriver will not actuate the release mechanism. In some embodiments, the release mechanism is coupled to a radio and / or wired connector and responds to a command received via the radio and / or wired connector. For example, the release mechanism is coupled to a radio configured to communicate wirelessly with a security key pendant or similar device. In another example, the radio is configured to communicate wirelessly with one or more user devices via a smart home application.

[0173] Figures 9A to 9D This is a component view of camera assembly 118 according to some embodiments. Figure 9A An internal view of camera 118 according to some embodiments is shown. (See figure) Figure 9A As shown, the camera 118 includes a front panel 706, an image sensor assembly 902 positioned behind the front panel 706, and a speaker assembly 904 positioned adjacent to a speaker hole 712 in the housing 711.

[0174] In some embodiments, camera 118 is a video streaming device with embedded powerful computing capabilities. Therefore, in some instances, it consumes a significant amount of power and generates considerable heat. To prevent heat damage to the chipset and other components, heat dissipation solutions include directing heat from the CPU (e.g., the CPU of SoC 1322) to speaker assembly 904. In some embodiments, speaker assembly 904 is constructed of a structurally suitable thermally conductive plastic with good heat dissipation properties. In some embodiments, shield 1326 ( Figure 13CThe thermal pad on top is used to direct heat to the speaker assembly.

[0175] In some embodiments, the image sensor assembly 908 includes one or more of the following: a circuit board (e.g., a PCB), an IR cutoff filter, a lens holder, and an image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a 4K image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a 12-megapixel image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a wide-angle lens.

[0176] In some embodiments, the speaker assembly 904 includes a speaker and a heat sink. In some embodiments, the heat sink is configured to dissipate heat generated at one or more circuit boards within the speaker and camera 118. In some embodiments, the speaker assembly 904 acts as a means for... Figure 13C The heatsink of the system-on-a-chip (SoC) 1322 of the camera shown. In some embodiments, the SoC 1322 is thermally coupled to the speaker assembly 904.

[0177] Now transferred to Figures 9B to 9DIn some embodiments, camera 118 includes a hinge assembly with a ball assembly 912, and head assembly 702 can be configured to rotate about the ball assembly 912 in two or more degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, ball assembly 912 is coaxial with and rigidly fixed to rod 916. In some embodiments, ball assembly 912 includes a spherically curved convex support surface 940 that is radially symmetrical about an axis coaxial with the axis of rod 916. In some embodiments, ball assembly 912 is partially positioned within housing 711 of head assembly 702. In some embodiments, ball assembly 912 can be arranged about at least a portion of rod 916. In some embodiments, head assembly 702 is configured to rotate about one or more axes passing through the center of ball assembly 912. In some embodiments, the head assembly 702 may be configured to deflect about the ball assembly 912 relative to the shaft 916 with a first degree of freedom, such that the central axis (e.g., optical axis) of the head assembly 702 forms an angle relative to the axis of the shaft 916, ranging from 0° (where the central axis of the head assembly 702 is coaxial with the axis of the shaft 916) to, for example, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, or 90° (where the central axis of the head assembly 702 is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 916). In a further embodiment, the head assembly 702 is configured to rotate about the axis of the ball assembly 912 with a second degree of freedom, the axis of which is coaxial with the axis of the shaft 916. In some embodiments, the head assembly 702 is configured to rotate about the axis of the shaft 916 while deflecting relative to the axis of the shaft 916.

[0178] In some embodiments, the ball assembly 912 may be at least partially positioned within a collar 814, which is coupled to the head assembly 702 at a position opposite the front face 706. In some embodiments, the collar 814 is arranged around at least a portion of the shaft 916. In some embodiments, the collar 814 is configured to move with the head assembly 702 when the head assembly 702 is tilted and / or rotated about the ball assembly 912. In some embodiments, the collar 814 includes a cutout 810 (preferably providing clearance to the shaft 916 when the head assembly 702 is tilted relative to the shaft 916). In a further embodiment, the head assembly 702 is configured to rotate relative to the collar 814. In some embodiments, the head assembly 702 is configured to rotate about its central axis relative to the collar 814 to allow clockwork motion in a third degree of freedom. In some embodiments, a low-friction liner 942 may be disposed between the bushing 814 and the head assembly 702 to provide smooth rotation between the head assembly 702 and the bushing 814. For example, the low-friction liner 942 may be a gasket arranged around a portion of the bushing 814 and made of a low-friction polymer, such as a fluoropolymer, like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0179] In some embodiments, the head assembly 702 can be manually rotated by a user around the ball assembly 912 without the use of or requiring additional tools. In some embodiments, after the camera 118 has been fixed to a wall or other desired surface, the head assembly 702 can be rotated by the user using only one hand around the ball assembly 912. In a further embodiment, the hinge assembly is configured to hold the head assembly 702 in a desired position and orientation set by the user, without the user engaging a separate clamping or locking mechanism (e.g., a positioning screw). In some embodiments, friction between the support surface 940 of the ball assembly 912 and one or more other components is at least sufficient to maintain the position of the head assembly 702 relative to the ball assembly 912, for example, so that the weight of the head assembly 702 does not cause the head assembly 702 to drift or move away from the user-set position. In some such embodiments, the ball assembly 912 may be positioned between two or more surfaces configured to abut against the support surface 940 with a sufficiently large force to hold the head assembly 702 in place relative to the ball assembly 912, for example, until (e.g., by a user) an additional force greater than the frictional force and / or greater than the frictional force and weight of the head assembly 702 is applied to it. In some embodiments, the hinge assembly includes one or more biasing elements (e.g., springs) positioned and configured to bias the two or more surfaces against the support surface 940 to generate sufficient frictional force.

[0180] In some embodiments, the ball assembly 912 may be positioned against a first friction surface 944, which is configured to be immediately adjacent to a first portion of the abutment support surface 940 (e.g., against a first hemisphere of the ball assembly 912). In a further embodiment, a second friction surface 938 may be positioned and configured immediately adjacent to a second portion of the abutment support surface 940 (e.g., against a second hemisphere of the ball assembly 912). In some embodiments, the first friction surface 944 is positioned between the bushing 814 and the ball assembly 912. In some embodiments, the first friction surface 944 and the second friction surface 938 may be made of the same material. In other embodiments, the first friction surface 944 and the second friction surface 938 may be made of different materials, for example, selected to have different coefficients of friction. For example, in some embodiments, the second friction surface 938 may be selected to have a lower coefficient of friction than the first friction surface 944. In other embodiments, the second friction surface 938 may be selected to have a higher coefficient of friction than the first friction surface 944. In some embodiments, the support surface 940 may be made of metal or a metal alloy, and the first and second friction surfaces may be made of plastic or thermoplastic materials. Preferably, according to some embodiments, the support surface 940 and / or the first and second friction surfaces are made of materials with relatively low wear rates or high durability. In some embodiments, the support surface 940 may be treated to produce a desired amount of friction. For example, in some embodiments, the support surface 940 may be textured, for example, by sandblasting, etching, etc. In some embodiments, the support surface 940 may be chemically treated, for example, anodized to produce an oxide surface layer or electroplated. In one example embodiment, the support surface 940 may be made of a sandblasted and / or anodized aluminum alloy, such as 6063 aluminum alloy.

[0181] The first and second friction surfaces may be made of materials different from those used to form the support surface 940. In some embodiments, the first and second friction surfaces are made of polymeric or composite materials. In some embodiments, the first and second friction surfaces may be made of relatively low-friction materials. In some embodiments, using low-friction materials allows the head assembly 702 to move more smoothly around the support surface 940. For example, in some embodiments, the first and / or second friction surfaces may comprise polyoxymethylene or acetal resins (e.g., ...). (Available under the trademark). In some embodiments, the first friction surface and / or the second friction surface may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or PTFE incorporated with other polymers (e.g., acetal resin impregnated with PTFE fibers).

[0182] To generate the necessary frictional force by using a low-friction material for the first and / or second friction surfaces, according to some embodiments, a biasing element 924 may be provided, configured to increase the contact force or normal force between the support surface of the ball assembly 912 and the first and / or second friction surfaces 940. In some embodiments, the biasing element 924 is a spring (e.g., a compression spring or a coil spring) positioned to press the second friction surface 938 against the support surface 940. In some embodiments, the second friction surface 938 is at least partially positioned between the biasing element 924 and the ball assembly 912. In some embodiments, the biasing element is a compression spring disposed within the housing 711 and about the central axis (e.g., optical axis) of the head assembly 702. In some embodiments, the biasing element 924 is configured to provide a continuous spring force along a direction parallel to or coaxial with the central axis of the head assembly 702. In some embodiments, the biasing element 924 is arranged and positioned to continuously provide a spring force of at least 180 N, at least 190 N, at least 200 N, at least 210 N, at least 220 N, at least 230 N, at least 240 N, at least 250 N, at least 260 N, at least 270 N, at least 280 N, at least 290 N, or at least 300 N toward the ball assembly 912. In some embodiments, the biasing element 924 is arranged and positioned to continuously provide a spring force of between 180 N and 300 N, between 190 N and 290 N, between 200 N and 280 N, between 210 N and 270 N, between 220 N and 260 N, or between 230 N and 250 N toward the ball assembly 912.

[0183] In some embodiments, the communication board is connected to one or more interconnects arranged in cable bundles 906, 922, which may be configured to transmit power and / or data signals between the communication board and one or more components (e.g., motherboard 1016) in the head assembly 702. In some embodiments, cable bundles 906, 922 may be routed from the communication board to the ball assembly 912 generally along the central axis of the head assembly 702 and at least partially through the biasing element 924. In some embodiments, cable bundles 906, 922 may have sufficient length to accommodate movement of the head assembly 702 relative to the ball assembly 912, such as deflection of the head assembly 702.

[0184] In some embodiments, cable bundle 906 is connected to a communication board via connector 992. In some embodiments, cable bundle 922 is electrically in communication with the electronics of head assembly 702 via connector 990. In some embodiments, cable bundles 906 and 922 are coupled via a rotary electrical connector or slip ring connection (e.g., consisting of ring assembly 930 and brush element 934) to electrically connect cable bundle 906 to cable bundle 922, while further allowing cable bundle 906 to rotate relative to cable bundle 922. In some embodiments, the slip ring connection allows head assembly 702 to rotate relative to ball assembly 912 without affecting or severely twisting the cable bundle. In some embodiments, the slip ring connection includes ring assembly 930 having one or more annular electrical contacts electrically connected to the wires in cable bundle 906. In some embodiments, the slip ring connection also includes one or more conductive brush elements 934 electrically connected to the wires in cable bundle 922 and configured to touch and make electrical contact with one or more annular electrical contacts of ring assembly 930. In some embodiments, the brush element 934 includes a biasing element configured to bias the brush element against one or more annular electrical contacts of the ring assembly 930. The brush element 934 is preferably configured to maintain electrical contact with the ring assembly 930 even when the ring assembly 930 rotates relative to the brush element 934. In some embodiments, a slip ring connection may be positioned within the biasing element 924. In some embodiments, the slip ring connection is positioned within a tube extending through the biasing element 924. In some such embodiments, the slip ring connection may be further covered by a sealing element to provide a liquid-tight seal around the slip ring connection, helping to prevent water from flowing into the head assembly through the tube.

[0185] Figures 10A to 10B This is a view of additional components of a representative camera assembly according to some embodiments. For example... Figures 10A to 10BAs shown, camera assembly 118 includes a front panel 706, a sealing ring 1040, a ring guide 1038, an illuminator assembly 1036, an image sensor assembly 902, a sensor heat sink 1026, a sensor shield 1032, a sensor pressure material 1030, a sensor pressure plate 1028, and a front retaining ring 1034. In some embodiments, the sealing ring 1040 and the ring guide 1038 are configured to prevent water from entering the camera assembly between the housing 711 and the front panel 706. In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 includes a plurality of RGB LEDs (e.g., 4, 6, or 8 LEDs). In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 includes status LEDs and / or a peripheral light sensor. In some embodiments, the front retaining ring 1034 is configured to be attached to the front panel 706. In some embodiments, the front retaining ring 1034 is configured to be attached to the front panel 706 via a snap-fit ​​movement. In some embodiments, the front retaining ring 1034 is configured to engage the front panel 706 via a snap-fit ​​mechanism. In some embodiments, the front retaining ring 1034 is configured to disengage from the front 706 via a torsional movement.

[0186] In some embodiments, the image sensor assembly 902 includes an active heating module (e.g., a heating patch). In some embodiments, the active heating module is attached to the outer surface of the sensor heat sink 1026 such that, when active, the heating module heats the image sensor through the sensor heat sink 1026. In some embodiments, the active heating module is attached to the inner surface of the sensor heat sink 1026 such that the active heating module can directly heat the image sensor. In some embodiments, the active heating module is fixed to the image sensor plate of the image sensor assembly 902.

[0187] In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a fixed-focus image sensor, and the active heating module is configured to maintain the fixed-focus image sensor at a temperature that minimizes the temperature impact on the sharpness and / or focus of the fixed-focus image sensor. In some embodiments, the active heating module is configured to maintain the image sensor at a target operating temperature to optimize sharpness during operation.

[0188] In some embodiments, the active heating module is coupled to one or more temperature sensors (e.g., temperature sensors located on the image sensor assembly 902, the illuminator assembly 1036, and / or the motherboard 1016). In some embodiments, the active heating module is fixed to one side of the image sensor and surrounded by a sensor heatsink 1026. In some embodiments, the active heating module is configured to maintain the image sensor at a temperature within a preferred temperature range (e.g., 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) during image sensor operation. In some embodiments, the active heating module is configured to provide heat to the image sensor in the range of 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, the active heating module is communicatively coupled to the image sensor board of the motherboard 1016 and / or the image sensor assembly 902.

[0189] In some implementations, the active heating module determines the operating temperature cycle of the image sensor (e.g., a 24-hour temperature cycle). In some implementations, the active heating module uses the determined temperature cycle to pre-adjust the temperature of the image sensor. In some implementations, the active heating module does not include any moving parts, and is therefore more robust and less expensive than an autofocus system.

[0190] In some implementations, the optimal temperature differs for different cameras 118 and is determined on a per-device basis. In some implementations, the active heating module determines the optimal operating temperature of the image sensor by recording the system temperature and image sharpness (of the current scene) throughout at least one thermal cycle. In some implementations, the thermal cycle corresponds to a 24-hour period. In some instances, the relationship between temperature and sharpness is parabolic. Therefore, the optimal temperature is determined by selecting the temperature at the peak of the parabola (e.g., peak sharpness). In some implementations, the optimal temperature is determined after the camera 118 has been installed in the smart home environment 100.

[0191] In some embodiments, the front surface 706 comprises chemically strengthened glass. In some embodiments, the front surface 706 comprises soda-lime glass (e.g., the interior of the front surface 706 corresponding to the field of view of the image sensor).

[0192] In some embodiments, the sensor heat sink 1026 is made of magnesium. In some embodiments, the sensor heat sink 1026 is adapted to dissipate heat from the image sensor assembly 902. In some embodiments, the sensor heat sink 1026 is adapted to provide structural support to the camera 118. In some embodiments, the sensor heat sink 1026 is adapted to protect the image sensor assembly 902 from environmental forces, such as moisture and / or impacts from objects and / or the ground. In some embodiments, the sensor heat sink 1026 is configured to secure the image sensor assembly 902 to the front face 706. In some embodiments, the sensor heat sink 1026 is configured to suppress electromagnetic interference with the image sensor assembly 902 (e.g., from the antenna loop 1024).

[0193] In some embodiments, the sensor pressure plate 1028 is configured to provide constant pressure against the front surface 706 of the image sensor assembly 902 to increase adhesion and water resistance. In some embodiments, the sensor heat sink 1026 and the sensor pressure plate 1028 are configured to provide constant pressure against the front surface 706 of the image sensor assembly 902. In some embodiments, the sensor pressure material 1030 is configured to suppress electromagnetic interference with the image sensor assembly 902. In some embodiments, the sensor pressure material 1030 is configured to transfer heat from the image sensor assembly 902 to the sensor heat sink 1026.

[0194] In some embodiments, sensor shield 1032 is configured to suppress electromagnetic interference with image sensor assembly 902. In some embodiments, sensor shield 1032 is configured (e.g., in cooperation with sensor heat sink 1206) to reduce and / or eliminate radio frequency (RF) interference (e.g., from one or more antennas of camera assembly 118) with image sensor assembly 902. In some embodiments, sensor shield 1032 is adapted as a desensitizing shield for image sensor 902.

[0195] like Figures 10A to 10B As shown, the camera assembly 118 further includes an antenna ring 1024, a main heat sink 1022, a shielding material 1020 (e.g., shielding foam), a thermal material 1018, a main board 1016, a speaker assembly 904, a biasing element 924 (e.g., a hinge spring), a sealing ring 1010, an inner shell 1002, a microphone 1008, a microphone diaphragm 1006, a speaker seal 1004, and a housing 711.

[0196] In some embodiments, the thermal material 1018 is adapted to thermally couple the inner layer 1002 and the main heat sink 1022 to the housing 711. In some embodiments, the thermal material 1018 is made of metal or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the thermal material 1018 is made of one or more thermal pads.

[0197] In some embodiments, the antenna ring 1024 includes multiple antennas (e.g., two, three, or four antennas). In some embodiments, the antenna ring 1024 includes multiple antennas equidistant from each other. In some embodiments, the antenna ring 1024 is made of metal or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the shielding material 1020 is configured to suppress signal interference between components (e.g., a SoC) on the motherboard 1016 and the antennas on the antenna ring 1024. In some embodiments, the shielding material 1020 is configured to isolate RF signals from the antennas of the motherboard components.

[0198] In some embodiments, the antennas are configured to enable camera 118 to wirelessly communicate with one or more other electronic devices, such as central device 180, smart device 204, and / or server system 164. In some embodiments, multiple antennas are configured to operate simultaneously using two different frequencies. In some embodiments, multiple antennas are configured to operate simultaneously using two different communication protocols. In some embodiments, one or more antennas are configured for broadband communication (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer communication (e.g., Bluetooth). In some embodiments, one or more antennas are configured for mesh network communication (e.g., ZWave). In some embodiments, a first antenna of the multiple antennas is configured for 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi communication, and a second antenna of the multiple antennas is configured for 5 GHz Wi-Fi communication. In some embodiments, a first antenna of the multiple antennas is configured for both 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and peer-to-peer communication, a second antenna of the multiple antennas is configured for both 5 GHz Wi-Fi and peer-to-peer communication, and a third antenna of the multiple antennas is configured for mesh network communication. In some implementations, two or more antennas in the antenna are configured to transmit and / or receive data simultaneously with other antennas in the antenna.

[0199] MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) provides greater throughput and better range for wireless communication. One of the parameters in an antenna system is the isolation between two antennas. Better isolation ensures that the data transmitted through the two antennas is uncorrelated, which is crucial for MIMO systems. One way to achieve good isolation is to have a large antenna spacing. However, in modern consumer electronics, the space available for antennas is very limited, making sufficient spacing between antennas impractical. While isolation is important, antenna efficiency should not be sacrificed.

[0200] Isolation is directly related to how much energy is coupled from one antenna to another. The Friis equation defines the power received by one antenna as inversely proportional to (1 / R)^2, where R is the distance between the two antennas. Therefore, increasing the antenna spacing is an effective way to achieve good isolation. Another means of achieving isolation is by using decoupling networks. For example, artificial coupling channels are created in addition to their original coupling channels (e.g., through the air). By properly managing the two coupling channels, good isolation can be achieved.

[0201] In some embodiments, the antenna includes at least one dual-band inverted-F antenna (IFA). In some embodiments, the antenna is manufactured using FPC, LDS, stamping, or other prior art antenna manufacturing techniques. In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 is configured to provide electrical grounding for one or more antennas. In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 includes a plurality of conductive contacts 1037 configured to contact the antenna loop 1024 and suppress inter-antenna interference of the antenna loop 1024. In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive contacts includes a plurality of metallic protrusions along the back surface of the illuminator assembly 1036. In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive contacts 1037 are configured to contact the electrical grounding of the antenna loop 1024.

[0202] In some embodiments, the main heat sink 1022 is configured to provide structural support for the camera assembly 118 (e.g., to resist impacts from objects and / or the ground). In some embodiments, the main heat sink 1022 is configured to dissipate heat to the housing 711. In some embodiments, the main heat sink 1022 is configured to dissipate heat from the motherboard 1016 to the housing 711. In some embodiments, the motherboard 1016 is configured to be mounted to the main heat sink 1022. In some embodiments, the main heat sink 1022 is configured to be coupled to the speaker assembly 904 (e.g., having the motherboard 1016 therebetween). In some embodiments, the main heat sink 1022 is configured to dissipate heat from the speaker assembly 904 to the housing 711. In some embodiments, the main heat sink 1022 is made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., magnesium).

[0203] In some embodiments, the motherboard 1016 and speaker assembly 904 are thermally insulated from the image sensor assembly 902. Thermal decoupling the motherboard 1016 from the image sensor assembly 902 prevents heat generated by the motherboard 1016 from interfering with the image sensor assembly 902. According to some embodiments, heat generated on the front side of the motherboard 764 is transferred to the main heat sink 1022 to the thermal material 1018 and dissipated outside the camera via the housing 711 (e.g., the side of the housing). According to some embodiments, heat generated on the back side of the motherboard 1016 is transferred to the speaker assembly 904 and dissipated outside the camera via the housing 711.

[0204] In some embodiments, the bottom seal 1010 is configured to prevent water from entering the interior of the camera assembly 118 from the base assembly 704. In some embodiments, the speaker seal 1004 is configured to prevent water from entering the interior of the camera assembly 118. In some embodiments, the speaker seal 1004 is configured to acoustically and / or airtightly seal the speaker assembly 904. In some embodiments, the microphone diaphragm 1006 is configured to prevent water from entering the interior of the camera assembly 118 through the microphone aperture 713. In some embodiments, the microphone diaphragm 1006 is configured to allow air to flow from the interior of the camera assembly 118 to the environment. For example, the diaphragm 1006 is configured to equalize the internal and external pressures of the camera assembly by allowing air to be released through the microphone aperture 713.

[0205] In some embodiments, camera assembly 118 includes one or more forward-facing microphones and microphone 1008. In some embodiments, microphone 1008 cooperates with the forward-facing microphones to determine the directionality and / or location of incoming sound.

[0206] Figures 11A to 11C This is a view of additional components of a representative camera assembly according to some embodiments. Figures 11A to 11C Various perspective views of the front panel 706 and the image sensor assembly 902 are shown. (See attached image.) Figures 11A to 11C As shown, camera assembly 118 includes image sensor assembly 902, sensor pressure material 1030 (e.g., pressure foam), sensor pressure plate 1028, sensor heat sink 1026, sensor shield 1032, and reset mechanism 1116 corresponding to reset hole 1117 in front panel 706. In some embodiments, reset mechanism 1116 enables a user of camera 118 to perform a factory reset. In some embodiments, reset mechanism 1116 includes one or more components (e.g., diaphragms) to prevent water from entering the interior of camera assembly 118.

[0207] like Figures 11A to 11CAs shown, the camera assembly 118 also includes a front surface 706, a plurality of lenses 1110 corresponding to a plurality of infrared (IR) illuminators 1112 (e.g., IR LEDs), a thermally conductive mount 1108, IR illuminators 1112, a microphone 1114 (e.g., a flex microphone), a light guide 1106, and an illuminator assembly 1036. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive mount 1108 is made of plastic and / or nylon. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive mount 1108 is configured to couple the illuminator assembly 1036 to the front surface 706. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive mount 1108 is configured to transfer heat from the illuminator assembly 1036 to the front surface 706. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive mount 1108 is configured to transfer heat from the IR illuminators 1112 to the front surface 706. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive mount 1108 is configured to couple the IR illuminators 1112 and the lenses 1110 to the front surface 706. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive mounting element 1108 is made of thermally conductive plastic. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive mounting element 1108 is made of metal-injected plastic to aid in heat transfer from the illuminator to the front face 706.

[0208] In some implementations, the IR illuminator 1112 is configured to operate independently. In some implementations, a subset of the IR illuminator 1112 is utilized during specific operating modes of the camera assembly 118. For example, a subset of the IR illuminator 1112 may be used to perform depth mapping of the scene or to relay IR commands to an external device.

[0209] In some embodiments, the front surface 706 includes a first element (e.g., a glass or plastic lens) residing in front of the image sensor and a second element (e.g., a glass or plastic lens) residing in front of the illuminator (e.g., between the first element and the periphery of the camera 118). In some embodiments, the second element has a concave shape.

[0210] In some embodiments, the front side 706 includes a cover glass with a thickness of 1 mm or about 1 mm. In some embodiments, a light-absorbing coating (e.g., a film or ink) and an anti-reflective coating are added to the back side of the front side 706 to prevent light scattering. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a smooth, matte ink that absorbs light across all wavelengths. In some embodiments, the front side 706 includes a screen-printed logo. In some embodiments, a first section of the front side 706 (e.g., a section not corresponding to an image sensor or illuminator) is coated with an opaque film suitable for absorbing visible and IR light. In some embodiments, the film is ink. In some embodiments, a second section of the front side 706 (e.g., corresponding to IR illuminator 1112) is coated with an IR-transparent film suitable for absorbing visible light (e.g., opaque or translucent to visible light). In some embodiments, a third section of the front side 706 is coated with a translucent film (e.g., translucent to IR and / or visible light). In some embodiments, the third section corresponds to a status illuminator and / or a peripheral light sensor. In some embodiments, the front side 706 is coated with an anti-reflective coating. For example, the front surface 706 is first coated with a thin film, and then an anti-reflective coating is coated on top of the thin film. In some embodiments, the coating is applied to the inner surface of the front surface 706. In some embodiments, at least one of the coatings is applied to the outer surface of the front surface 706. In some embodiments, the front surface 706 has anti-reflective coatings applied to both the inner and outer surfaces. In some embodiments, the front surface 706 includes an opaque coating to prevent or substantially prevent light from the illuminator assembly 1036 from entering the image sensor.

[0211] In some embodiments, one or more of the coatings include smooth inks suitable for absorbing light without scattering it. For example, opaque inks are suitable for absorbing visible and IR light. In some embodiments, one or more of the coatings are suitable for absorbing at least 99% of the light. For example, opaque coatings are suitable for absorbing at least 99% of visible and IR light. In some embodiments, one or more of the coatings include coarse inks suitable for scattering light. In some embodiments, one or more of the coatings are applied via vapor deposition. In some embodiments, one or more of the coatings are applied via thin film deposition. In some embodiments, one or more of the coatings are applied via a pattern printing process. In some embodiments, one or more of the coatings are applied via a spraying process. In some embodiments, one or more coatings and / or screen printing are applied using an in-mold labeling process.

[0212] In some embodiments, lens 1110 includes a toroidal lens configured to distribute light from IR illuminator 1112. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is adapted to improve the efficiency of IR illuminator 1112. Lens 1110 is particularly important when using IR illuminators with wavelengths that are not optimal for the image sensor, as higher intensity is required to illuminate the scene for the image sensor. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is adapted to prevent hot spots in the scene due to illumination overlap from multiple IR illuminators. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is adapted to direct and / or limit illumination from the IR illuminators to a portion of the scene captured by the image sensor. For example, when the image sensor is adapted to capture a 16:9 rectangular portion of the scene, lens 1110 is adapted to provide substantially uniform illumination in that portion and / or substantially no illumination outside that portion. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is shaped and / or positioned to provide substantially uniform illumination in that portion and substantially no illumination outside that portion. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is shaped and / or positioned to minimize overlap between IR illuminators.

[0213] In some embodiments, camera 118 includes a plurality of lenses 1110, each corresponding to a specific IR illuminator. For example, camera 118 includes four IR illuminators 1112 and four lenses 1110. In some embodiments, lenses 1110 are configured such that IR illumination from the IR illuminators corresponding to the plurality of lenses 1110 is directed to provide substantially uniform illumination in a portion of the scene corresponding to the camera's field of view, and / or substantially no illumination outside that portion. In some embodiments, the camera's image sensor is adapted to capture wide-angle images (e.g., fisheye views). In some embodiments, lenses 1110 are configured to provide substantially uniform illumination over the wide-angle field of view.

[0214] In some embodiments, the image sensor is configured to capture IR light (e.g., IR light with wavelengths of 940 nm or 850 nm). In some embodiments, the IR light is converted (e.g., at camera 118) into white light for display to the user. In some embodiments, the IR illuminator 1112 consists of four IR LEDs. In some embodiments, the wavelength of the IR illuminator 1112 is adjusted to be outside the visible spectrum. For example, the wavelength of the IR illuminator is adjusted to 940 nm instead of 850 nm. Adjusting the IR illuminator to be outside the visible spectrum means that the IR illumination from the illuminator is less visible (or invisible) to the human eye. Therefore, it is important to use the IR illuminator as efficiently as possible. For example, the IR illuminator is configured to illuminate only the portion of the scene captured by the image sensor.

[0215] In some embodiments, the image sensor has a rectangular field of view corresponding to + / -32 degrees vertically and + / -56 degrees horizontally. In some embodiments, the IR illuminator 1112 is configured to emit light in a hemispherical pattern. Therefore, it is necessary to guide and shape the light from the IR illuminator to illuminate the field of view of the image sensor, while minimizing the overlap between illumination outside the field of view and the IR illuminator that causes hot spots in the sensed image.

[0216] In some embodiments, lens 1110 is configured to guide and shape light from the IR illuminator to illuminate the field of view of the image sensor, while minimizing overlap between illumination outside the field of view and the IR illuminator causing hotspots in the sensed image. In some embodiments, each lens 1110 is configured to shape the IR light from the IR illuminator into a field of view corresponding to camera 118 (e.g., the image sensor of camera 118). In some embodiments, lens 1110 and illuminator 1112 are positioned to minimize illumination overlap between IR illuminators 1112. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is positioned such that illumination from IR illuminators 1112 is substantially uniform across the field of view of the image sensor. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is positioned to provide enhanced illumination (e.g., 1.2x, 1.5x, or 2x the illumination) at the center of the camera's field of view.

[0217] In some embodiments, lens 1110 is configured to optimize the energy distribution from the IR illuminator within the camera's field of view. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is configured to maximize the energy from the IR illuminator within the image sensor's field of view while minimizing wasted energy outside the image sensor's field of view. In some embodiments, lens 1110 is configured to shape the illumination from the IR illuminator so that it uniformly illuminates the camera's field of view and substantially does not illuminate areas outside the camera's field of view.

[0218] In some embodiments, the IR illuminator 1112 includes an IR LED with a wavelength of 940 nm. In some embodiments, the IR illuminator 1112 includes an IR LED with a wavelength of 850 nm. In some embodiments, the image sensor of camera 118 is less sensitive to 940 nm light compared to 850 nm light. Therefore, the IR LED with a wavelength of 940 nm causes less interference to the image sensor compared to the IR LED with a wavelength of 850 nm.

[0219] In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 includes an illuminator board, a plurality of visible light illuminators (e.g., RGB LEDs), and circuitry for powering and / or operating the visible light illuminators. In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 includes circuitry for powering and / or operating the IR illuminator 1112.

[0220] According to some embodiments, the light guide 1106 includes a first (inner) segment and a second (outer) segment. In some embodiments, the inner segment is composed of structural polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the outer segment is transparent or translucent to visible light. According to some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 includes a visible light illuminator (e.g., an RGB LED) and an ambient light sensor. In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 includes a plurality of RGB LEDs (e.g., 6, 8, 9, or 12 LEDs), and the light guide 1106 includes a corresponding notch for each of the LEDs. In some embodiments, the visible light illuminator is configured to be individually controlled (e.g., controlled by SoC 1322). In some embodiments, each illuminator corresponds to a portion of the light guide 1106. For example, the light guide 1106 includes a first portion corresponding to a first illuminator and a second portion corresponding to a second illuminator. In some embodiments, each illuminator is oriented clockwise, and the light guide 1106 includes a corresponding portion extending clockwise from the location of the illuminator 1106. In some embodiments, each portion of the light guide 1106 terminates at or is defined by a segment (e.g., a light-absorbing material) adapted to prevent light from the illuminator from entering other portions of the light guide. In some embodiments, one or more surfaces of the light guide 1106 that do not face the front of the camera are coated with a light-absorbing material (e.g., black ink) or otherwise treated to prevent light from the illuminator from leaving the light guide 1106 at that location.

[0221] In some embodiments, light guide 1106 is adapted to guide light from a visible light illuminator out of the face of camera 118. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 is adapted to prevent light from the visible light illuminator from entering image sensor assembly 902. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 is adapted to distribute light from the visible light illuminator in a substantially uniform manner. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 is made of a transparent material. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 is made of polycarbonate material. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 has multiple recesses to refract light from the illuminator and prevent light from entering image sensor assembly 902. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 is adapted to provide a more uniform color and light output from the illuminator to the user. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 includes multiple segments, each corresponding to a visible light illuminator. In some embodiments, light guide 1106 includes one or more light-absorbing elements (e.g., black patches) disposed between each segment to prevent light leakage from one illuminator segment to another.

[0222] In some embodiments, the light guide 1106 includes two or more segments (e.g., an inner segment and an outer segment). In some embodiments, the light guide 1106 is adapted to scatter light from a visible light illuminator. In some embodiments, the light guide 1106 is adapted to direct light from the illuminator toward the front face 706. In some embodiments, the illuminator assembly 1036 (and corresponding elements such as the light guide 1106) causes circular colored (or white) light to be emitted from the front face of the camera 118. In some embodiments, the components and corresponding light are circular and arranged around the periphery of the front face 706. The resulting illumination ring may optionally surround all or substantially all elements of the camera 118, such as the image sensor assembly 902, the IR illuminator 1112, the ambient light sensor, the status LED, and the microphone 1114. In other embodiments, the resulting illumination ring does not surround the periphery but rather the inner diameter, for example, only around the image sensor assembly 902. In still other embodiments, the illuminator does not surround any forward element of the camera 118. In some embodiments, the illuminator is arranged in a non-circular shape, such as a square, ellipse, or polygon. In some embodiments, the illuminators are not arranged on the front of the device, but on different surfaces of the device, such as the bottom, top, sides, or back. In some embodiments, multiple such illuminators and light guides are arranged on the same or different surfaces of the camera 118.

[0223] The lighting assembly 1036 (and corresponding elements) may optionally operate to indicate the status of the camera 118, the status of another device inside or outside the smart home environment 100 (e.g., another device directly or indirectly communicatively coupled to the camera 118), and / or the status of the entire connected smart home environment 100 (e.g., system status). The lighting assembly 1036 (and corresponding elements) may optionally cause different colors and / or animations indicating such different statuses to be displayed to the user.

[0224] For example, in a scenario where the status of camera 118 is being transmitted, the ring may emit a low-speed blue pulse once when camera 118 is first started or after a reset operation. When camera 118 is ready to begin setup, the ring may continuously breathe blue. When camera 118 is connected to a remote cloud service and provisioning is complete (i.e., the camera is connected to the user's network and account), the ring may pulse green once. When service connection and / or provisioning fails, the ring may flash yellow rapidly. When camera 118 is being operated to facilitate two-way communication (i.e., capturing audio from an audio source and transmitting that audio to a remote device for output, while simultaneously capturing audio from a remote device and transmitting that audio to camera 118 for output), the ring may continuously breathe blue at high speed. When camera 118 is in the countdown before a factory reset, the ring may automatically turn off at a rate equal to the remaining time before the reset (e.g., 5 seconds). When camera 118 has been factory reset and its settings have been erased, the ring can continuously rotate and emit blue light. When camera 118 has low power, the ring can flash red light continuously at a low speed. Visual indications can optionally be transmitted simultaneously, concurrently, or separately from audio indications that signal the same or supplementary message to the user. For example, when camera 118 is connected to a remote cloud service and configuration is complete (i.e., the camera is connected to the user's network and account), the ring can pulse green light once and output the audio message "Remote cloud service and configuration complete".

[0225] Additionally or alternatively, camera 118 can transmit the status of another device communicating with it. For example, when hazard detector 104 detects smoke or fire sufficient to trigger an alarm, camera 118 can output a rapid, continuous pulse emitting a red halo. When hazard detector 104 detects smoke or fire sufficient to warn a user but not trigger an alarm, camera 118 can output multiple pulses emitting a yellow halo. When a visitor engages the smart doorbell 106, camera 118 can output a halo based on the engagement; for example, if the smart doorbell 106 detects movement, camera 118 can output a yellow halo, and if the user presses the call button on the smart doorbell 106, camera 118 can output a green halo. In some embodiments, camera 118 can be communicatively coupled to doorbell 106 to enable audio communication between them, in which case the animation and / or color of the halo can change depending on whether the user is speaking to the visitor through camera 118 or another device.

[0226] Alternatively or additionally, camera 118 may transmit the cumulative status of several networked devices in the smart home environment 100. For example, smart alarm system 122 may include proximity sensors, window break sensors, door movement detectors, etc. The overall home status can be determined based on the status of such multiple sensors / detectors. For example, the overall home status may be secure (indicating the location is safe and ready to sound an alarm), alarming (indicating an intrusion or emergency), or a state somewhere in between, such as warning (indicating an imminent intrusion or emergency, or unless certain conditions are met). For example, the camera 118 halo may pulse red continuously when the overall home status is alarming, pulse yellow when the overall home status is warning, and / or remain green continuously when the overall home status is secure. In some embodiments, such visual indications may be transmitted simultaneously (or separately) with audio indications, where the audio indication signals the same or supplementary message to the user. For example, when the overall home status is alarming, the halo may pulse red once and output an audio message indicating an alarm "alarm". In some implementations, audio messages can provide supplemental information that cannot be conveyed via the halo. For example, when an alarm is triggered for the overall home status due to a broken basement window, the audio message could be “Alarm - Your basement window has been broken.” Similarly, when a hazard detector 104 in the kitchen detects a warning level of smoke, the audio message could be “Warning - Smoke detected in your kitchen.”

[0227] In some implementations, camera 118 may additionally or alternatively have a status LED. Such a status LED can be used to less explicitly transmit status information about camera 118, other devices, or multiple devices. For example, the status LED may be continuously green during initial setup, continuously green while streaming video and / or audio data, breathing green when someone is remotely viewing, continuously green when someone is remotely viewing and speaking through camera 118, and off when camera 118 is turned off or the status LED is disabled. It should be understood that the status LED can be displayed simultaneously with a halo. For example, the status LED may be continuously green during setup while the halo breathes blue until setup ends when the device is connected to the service and configuration is complete; in this case, the status LED may remain continuously green while the halo switches to a single-pulse green.

[0228] Figures 12A to 12B This is a component view illustrating a speaker assembly 904 according to some embodiments. (See figure) Figures 12A to 12BAs shown, the speaker assembly 904 includes a connector 1202, a speaker cover 1204, a speaker mount 1208, a speaker driver 1206, and sealing rings 1210 and 1212. In some embodiments, the connector 1202 provides power to the speaker assembly and / or communicatively couples the speaker assembly to a motherboard 1016 (e.g., SoC 1322). In some embodiments, the speaker cover 1204 is made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., metal). In some embodiments, the speaker cover 1204 is configured to couple to and dissipate heat from the motherboard 1016. In some embodiments, the speaker mount 1208 is made of a thermally insulating material (e.g., plastic).

[0229] In some embodiments, the speaker driver 1206 includes a speaker diaphragm. In some embodiments, the speaker diaphragm is configured to allow air to flow from the interior of the camera assembly 118 to the environment. For example, the speaker diaphragm is configured to equalize the internal and external pressures of the camera assembly by allowing air to be released through the speaker aperture 712. In some embodiments, the speaker diaphragm is configured to acoustically and hermetically seal the speaker assembly 904.

[0230] In some embodiments, the speaker driver 1206 includes a waterproof diaphragm configured to prevent water from entering the interior of the speaker housing 904 and / or the camera 118. In some embodiments, the speaker cover 1204, the speaker driver 1206, and the speaker mount 1208 are configured to be coupled together to acoustically and hermetically seal the speaker assembly 904. In some embodiments, sealing rings 1210 and 1212 are configured to acoustically and hermetically seal the speaker assembly 904.

[0231] Figures 13A to 13C This is a component view illustrating a motherboard 1016 assembly according to some embodiments. Figure 13A The first side (e.g., the front side) of the motherboard 1016 is shown. Figure 13B A side view of the motherboard is shown, and Figure 13C The second side of the motherboard (e.g., the rear side) is shown.

[0232] like Figure 13A As shown, the first side includes a first radio 1302 (e.g., a Bluetooth-configured radio), a second radio 1306 (e.g., a WiFi-configured radio), a radio memory 1304, a shield 1310 for the second radio 1306 and the radio memory 1304, and a shield 1308.

[0233] In some embodiments, radio 1302 and / or radio 1306 are configured for broadband (e.g., Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) communication. In some embodiments, radio 1302 and / or radio 1306 are configured for point-to-point (e.g., Bluetooth) communication. In some embodiments, radio 1302 and / or radio 1306 are configured for mesh networking (e.g., Thread, Zigbee, ZWave, IEEE 15.4, etc.) communication. Radios 1302 and 1306 are coupled to the antenna of antenna loop 1024.

[0234] In some embodiments, the motherboard 1016 also includes connectors for communicatively coupling the motherboard 1016 to the illuminator assembly 1036, connectors for communicatively coupling the motherboard 1016 to the image sensor assembly 902, connectors for communicatively coupling the motherboard 1016 to connector 714, connectors for communicatively coupling the motherboard 1016 to the speaker assembly 904, and / or connectors for communicatively coupling the motherboard 1016 to the antenna ring 1024 (e.g., antennas communicatively coupling radios 1302 and 1306 to the antenna ring). In some embodiments, the connectors include resilient connectors. For example, the connector for communicatively coupling the motherboard 1016 to the image sensor assembly 904 includes a resilient connector. In some embodiments, the connector for communicatively coupling the motherboard 1016 to the antenna of the antenna ring includes a spring connector (e.g., a spring-finger connector). In some embodiments, the first side includes one or more connectors for communicatively coupling to other components of the camera assembly 118 (e.g., for communicatively coupling to the image sensor assembly 902 and / or the illuminator assembly 1036). In some embodiments, the first side includes one or more connectors (e.g., spring connectors) for communicatively coupling the first radio 1302 and the second radio 1306 to the antenna loop 1024.

[0235] In some embodiments, the shielding element (e.g., shielding elements 1302, 1310, and / or 1308) includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding element. In some embodiments, the EMI shielding element is made of aluminum, stainless steel, and / or aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, each shielding element is configured to enclose a component within the shielding element. In some embodiments, each shielding element includes a wall and a cover. In some embodiments, Figure 13A and Figure 13C As shown, the corresponding cover is configured to snap onto the wall.

[0236] In some embodiments, the shield is configured to minimize electromagnetic interference (e.g., from external sources or between components, such as radios 1302 and 1306). In some embodiments, the shield is configured to substantially isolate the corresponding electrical components from sources outside the shield.

[0237] In some embodiments, a first side of the motherboard 1016 is thermally coupled to a main heatsink 1022. In some embodiments, each shield is configured to transfer heat from the encapsulated components to the housing 711 (e.g., via the main heatsink 1022). In some embodiments, each shield is configured to suppress signal interference between the encapsulated components and components outside the shield.

[0238] like Figure 13C As shown, the second side of the motherboard 1016 includes a system-on-a-chip (SoC) 1322, a memory 1320 (e.g., including memory and a memory controller), a shielding 1326 encapsulating the SoC 1322 and the memory 1320, and a power module 1324 (e.g., a power management integrated circuit (PMIC)). In some embodiments, the shielding 1326 includes electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. In some embodiments, the shielding 1326 is made of aluminum, stainless steel, and / or aluminum alloy.

[0239] In some embodiments, a second side of the motherboard 1016 is thermally coupled to the speaker assembly 904. In some embodiments, the shield 1326 is configured to transfer heat from the SoC 1322 and memory 1320 to the housing 711 (e.g., via the speaker cover 1204). In some embodiments, the shield 1326 is configured to suppress signal interference between the SoC 1322 and memory 1320 and components outside the shield. In some embodiments, the shield 1326 is adapted to substantially prevent electromagnetic interference from external sources to the SoC 1322 and / or memory controller 1320.

[0240] In some embodiments, the top components encapsulated within the shield (e.g., SoC 1322 and / or memory chip 1320) are coated with a thermal material (e.g., putty or paste) to dissipate heat from the components to the shield. In some embodiments, the thermal material comes into contact with the shield after it has been secured to the motherboard 1016. Therefore, the thermal material transfers heat from the corresponding component (e.g., SoC 1322) to the shield (e.g., shield 1326).

[0241] According to some embodiments, a camera assembly (e.g., camera assembly 118) for deployment in a smart home environment (e.g., smart home environment 100) includes: (1) a housing (e.g., housing 711); (2) an image sensor (e.g., the image sensor of image sensor assembly 902) encapsulated in the housing and configured to capture activity in the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio (e.g., radio 1302 and / or radio 1306) configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared emitter (e.g., IR illuminator 112) configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards (e.g., motherboard 1016) encapsulated in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating element coupled to the image sensor (e.g., an active heating module of image sensor assembly 902) configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor captures activity in the smart home environment.

[0242] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a plurality of thermally conductive components (e.g., a main heat sink 1022 and thermal material 1018) configured to passively conduct heat from the one or more circuit boards to the housing. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermally conductive components include one or more components made of metal. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermally conductive components include one or more thermal adhesives (e.g., thermal material 1018). In some embodiments, a heating component is attached to a metal hook (e.g., a sensor heat sink 1026) that holds the image sensor to the front of the camera assembly. In some embodiments, the heating component is in contact with the image sensor.

[0243] In some embodiments, an electronic component includes: (1) a housing (e.g., housing 711); (2) a temperature-sensitive component encapsulated within the housing, the temperature-sensitive component having associated low-temperature operating thresholds and high-temperature operating thresholds; (3) a plurality of thermally conductive components coupled to the temperature-sensitive component (e.g., sensor heat sink 1026 and front face 706), the plurality of thermally conductive components being configured to maintain the temperature-sensitive component at a temperature below the high-temperature operating threshold by passively conducting heat to the housing; and (4) a heating component coupled to the temperature-sensitive component (e.g., an active heating component of an image sensor assembly 902), the heating component being configured to maintain the temperature-sensitive component at a temperature above the low-temperature operating threshold by selectively heating the temperature-sensitive component.

[0244] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a plurality of thermally conductive components (e.g., a main heat sink 1022 and thermal material 1018) coupled to the one or more circuit boards and the wireless radio, the plurality of thermally conductive components being configured to passively conduct heat from the one or more circuit boards and the wireless radio to the housing.

[0245] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a plurality of thermal insulation components separating the one or more circuit boards and the wireless radio from the image sensor, the plurality of thermal insulation components comprising one or more plastic components and one or more air gaps. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermal insulation components comprises one or more components made of plastic. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermal insulation components includes one or more air gaps.

[0246] In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a fixed-focus image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a 4K sensor.

[0247] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes: (1) a temperature sensor coupled to the image sensor; and (2) a control circuit configured to: (a) determine the temperature of the image sensor based on data from the temperature sensor; and (b) set operating parameters of the heating element based on the determined temperature. In some embodiments, the control circuit is configured to optimize camera sharpness by maintaining the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the control circuit includes at least one processor and / or one or more controllers. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is in contact with the image sensor. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is connected to the same circuit board as the image sensor. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is connected to one of the one or more circuit boards (e.g., motherboard 1016).

[0248] In some embodiments: (1) the control circuit is further configured to determine whether the temperature of the image sensor is less than a preset target temperature of the image sensor; and (2) setting the operating parameters of the heating element based on the determined temperature includes: (a) initiating active heat transfer from the heating element to the image sensor based on the determination that the temperature of the image sensor is less than the preset target temperature; and (b) abandoning active heat transfer from the heating element to the image sensor based on the determination that the temperature of the image sensor is not less than the preset target temperature. In some embodiments, the preset target temperature is in the middle of the optimal operating temperature range of the image sensor. In some embodiments, the preset target temperature is the lowest optimal operating temperature of the image sensor (e.g., the lowest temperature that will not negatively affect the focusing of the image sensor).

[0249] In some embodiments, the control circuitry is further configured to manage the operation of one or more additional components to maintain the image sensor at a temperature below a high-temperature threshold, said one or more additional components including one or more of the following: (1) a system-on-chip (e.g., SoC 1322); (2) a speaker assembly (e.g., speaker assembly 904); (3) a power conversion assembly; and (4) a communication assembly (e.g., antenna loop 1024 and / or radios 1302 and 1306). In some embodiments, managing the operation of said one or more additional components includes minimizing or limiting the operation of the components based on determining that the temperature of the camera assembly exceeds a specific threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the power conversion assembly is configured to convert AC power to DC power. In some embodiments, the communication assembly includes one or more wireless antennas and one or more wireless radios. In some embodiments, the system-on-chip includes control circuitry.

[0250] In some embodiments: (1) the camera assembly further includes one or more additional components, including one or more of the following: (a) a system-on-a-chip (e.g., SoC 1322); (b) a speaker assembly (e.g., speaker assembly 904); (c) a power conversion assembly; and (d) a communication assembly; and (2) the plurality of thermally conductive components are further configured to passively conduct heat from the one or more additional components to the housing. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermally conductive components are further configured to passively dissipate heat from the image sensor (e.g., the plurality of thermally conductive components are thermally insulated or shielded from the image sensor).

[0251] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a second plurality of thermally conductive components (e.g., sensor heat sink 1026) coupled to the image sensor, the second plurality of thermally conductive components being configured to passively conduct heat from the image sensor to the front surface of the camera assembly (e.g., front surface 706). In some embodiments, the front surface includes a concave surface configured to reduce water and / or light interference on the front surface. In some embodiments, the front surface is waterproof. In some embodiments, the second plurality of thermally conductive components are thermally insulated from the first plurality of thermally conductive components (e.g., via one or more air gaps).

[0252] In some embodiments, the second plurality of thermally conductive components are further configured to suppress interference between the image sensor and one or more antennas of the camera assembly (e.g., one or more antennas on antenna loop 1024). In some embodiments, the second plurality of thermally conductive components include a metal shield (e.g., sensor heat sink 1026). In some embodiments, the heating component includes a thermal patch coupled to the metal shield.

[0253] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes one or more illuminators coupled to the second plurality of thermally conductive components. In some embodiments, the illuminators include one or more RGB LEDs (e.g., illuminator assembly 1036) and / or one or more IR LEDs (e.g., IR illuminator 1112). In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a light guide (e.g., light guide 1106) configured to direct light from the LEDs to the scene.

[0254] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes: (1) one or more illuminators (e.g., IR illuminator 1112); and (2) one or more toroidal lenses (e.g., lens 1110), the one or more toroidal lenses being configured to scatter light from the one or more illuminators into the scene in the field of view of the camera assembly.

[0255] In some embodiments, the housing includes one or more microphone holes (e.g., holes 708, 710, and 713), and the camera assembly further includes: (1) one or more microphones (e.g., microphones 1114 and 1008) coupled to the one or more microphone holes; and (2) one or more diaphragms (e.g., diaphragm 1006) separating the one or more microphones from the one or more microphone holes, the one or more diaphragms being configured to prevent water from entering the interior of the housing. In some embodiments, at least one of the diaphragms is further configured to equalize the internal and external air pressures of the camera assembly. In some embodiments, the one or more diaphragms are configured to prevent water from entering by maintaining the pressure inside the camera assembly higher than the surrounding external pressure. In some embodiments, the diaphragms (e.g., microphone diaphragm 1006 and / or speaker diaphragm) are configured to prevent water from flowing into the interior of the camera assembly when the camera assembly is cleaned or rinsed with a hose.

[0256] In some embodiments, the housing includes one or more speaker holes (e.g., speaker hole 712), and the camera assembly further includes: (1) one or more speakers coupled to the one or more speaker holes (e.g., speaker assembly 904 having speaker driver 1206); and (2) one or more diaphragms separating the one or more speakers from the one or more speaker holes, the one or more diaphragms being configured to: (a) prevent water from entering the interior of the housing; and (b) equalize the internal and external air pressure.

[0257] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a speaker assembly (e.g., speaker assembly 904), wherein the speaker assembly is hermetically sealed. In some embodiments, the speaker assembly is made of metal and plastic. In some embodiments, the speaker assembly is acoustically sealed.

[0258] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a plurality of antennas coupled to the one or more circuit boards via an antenna loop (e.g., antenna loop 1024). In some embodiments, the antenna loop is configured to electrically ground the antennas. In some embodiments, the antennas among the plurality of antennas are equidistant from each other. In some embodiments, the antenna loop is configured to surround an image sensor assembly (e.g., image sensor assembly 902).

[0259] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a plate coupled to the antenna loop (e.g., illuminator assembly 1036) and configured to reduce interference between the antennas among the plurality of antennas. In some embodiments, the plate includes a plurality of metal clips (e.g., connectors 1037) that contact the antenna loop at locations between each of the plurality of antennas.

[0260] According to some embodiments, a method is performed at a camera assembly (e.g., camera assembly 118) including a housing (e.g., housing 711) encapsulating an image sensor, a wireless radio (e.g., radio 1302 or radio 1306), and one or more circuit boards. The method includes: (1) capturing activity in a smart home environment via the image sensor; (2) transmitting video frames captured by the image sensor to a remote server via the wireless radio; (3) passively conducting heat from the one or more circuit boards and the wireless radio to the housing via first plurality of thermally conductive components of the camera assembly; and (4) simultaneously capturing activity in the smart home environment by: (a) monitoring the temperature of the image sensor; and (b) selectively heating the image sensor during operation to maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature.

[0261] According to some embodiments, the camera assembly 118 is suitable for outdoor use in a smart home environment. In some embodiments, the camera assembly 118 includes: a housing 711; an image sensor assembly 902 located within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and a concave front face 706 positioned in front of the image sensor so that light from the scene passes through the front face before entering the image sensor. In some embodiments, the front face 706 includes: an inner section 707 corresponding to the image sensor; and an outer section 709 between the housing and the inner section, the outer section being concave. In some embodiments, the front face 706 is configured to prevent water accumulation on the front face when the camera assembly is oriented in a downward position. In some embodiments, the concavity facilitates water dripping from the housing in front of the front face, rather than accumulating on the front face and rolling off (e.g., when the front face is facing the ground).

[0262] In some embodiments, the housing and front panel are further configured to prevent direct sunlight from entering the image sensor. In some embodiments, the housing and front panel are symmetrical about a central axis. In some embodiments, the front panel is further configured to prevent water from entering the camera assembly. In some embodiments, the front panel includes a sealing ring 1040 that prevents water ingress when the front panel is attached to the housing 711.

[0263] In some embodiments, the inner section 707 is generally flat. In some embodiments, the outer section 709 is made of plastic, and the inner section 707 is made of glass. In some embodiments, both sections are glass and / or plastic. In some embodiments, the inner section is bonded to the outer section with a waterproof adhesive.

[0264] In some embodiments, the inner section is separated from the outer section by a boundary member configured to prevent light transmission from the outer section to the inner section. In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes an anti-reflective coating applied to the front surface 706. In some embodiments, the anti-reflective coating is applied to the inner surface of the front surface.

[0265] In some embodiments, the camera assembly 118 further includes one or more infrared (IR) illuminators 1112 configured to selectively illuminate the scene. In some embodiments, a front face 706 is positioned in front of the one or more IR illuminators 1112 such that light from the one or more IR illuminators is directed through the front face.

[0266] In some embodiments, the inner section 707 is substantially transparent to both IR and visible light; and at least a portion of the outer section 709 is coated with a thin film that is substantially transparent to IR light but substantially opaque to visible light.

[0267] In some embodiments, the one or more IR illuminators 1112 are configured to emit IR light of a specific wavelength (e.g., 850 nm); and at least a portion of the outer section 709 on the front is coated with a thin film that is substantially transparent to IR light of the specific wavelength but substantially opaque to visible light.

[0268] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a mounting component (e.g., a sensor heat sink 1026) configured to thermally couple the image sensor to the front side so that heat from the image sensor is dissipated to the front side.

[0269] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a visible light illuminator (e.g., on illuminator assembly 1036) configured to convey state information of the camera assembly to a user; and the front is positioned in front of the visible light illuminator such that light from the visible light illuminator is directed through an outer section. In some embodiments, the outer section includes a portion corresponding to the visible light illuminator that is at least semi-transparent to visible light.

[0270] In some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a peripheral light sensor configured to detect peripheral light corresponding to the scene; and a front surface is positioned in front of the peripheral light sensor such that light from the scene passes through an outer section before entering the peripheral light sensor. In some embodiments, the outer section includes a portion corresponding to the peripheral light sensor, which is at least semi-transparent to visible light.

[0271] Although these implementations are described as including a specific number of components (e.g., 3 microphones, 3 antennas, 2 IR illuminators, etc.), these numbers are not intended to be limiting. Based on technical, aesthetic, and / or budget requirements and / or preferences, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of these components may optionally vary from 0 or 1 to multiples (e.g., 4, 6, or 10) in different implementations.

[0272] Regarding the systems discussed above that collect information about users, users can be given the opportunity to opt in / out of programs or features that may collect personal information (e.g., information about user preferences or use of smart devices). Furthermore, in some implementations, certain data can be anonymized in one or more ways before storage or use, thereby removing personally identifiable information. For example, a user's identity can be anonymized to the point that it is impossible to determine the user or personally identifiable information associated with them, and user preferences or user interactions can be generalized (e.g., based on user group characteristics) rather than associated with a specific user.

[0273] Although some of the figures illustrate several logical stages in a specific order, stages that are not dependent on the order can be reordered, and other stages can be combined or decomposed. While certain reorderings or other groupings are specifically mentioned, other reorderings or groupings will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore the orderings and combinations described herein do not exhaustively list alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized that these stages can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof.

[0274] For illustrative purposes, the foregoing has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the above illustrative statements are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific forms disclosed. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible. The embodiments were chosen so as to most clearly explain the principles of the claims and their practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to best utilize these embodiments with various modifications suitable for the intended particular use.

Claims

1. A camera assembly, comprising: A head assembly having a front surface and a housing, the housing having a front opening and being physically connected to the front surface at the front opening, wherein: The housing has a central axis extending from the center of the front opening to the center of the rear portion of the housing, the front opening being perpendicular to the central axis. The front surface includes: an inner section positioned at the center of the front surface; an outer section including a concave shape and positioned close to the periphery; and a boundary member separating the inner section and the outer section and configured to suppress light transmission from the outer section to the inner section, wherein the inner section is transparent to infrared (IR) light and visible light, and at least a portion of the outer section is transparent to IR light and opaque to visible light. The outer shell and the front enclosure: A peripheral light sensor, positioned behind the outer section and configured to detect peripheral light corresponding to the scene. An image sensor is attached to the rear of the inner section on the front and arranged along the central axis of the housing. One or more IR illuminators are positioned behind the front panel and at a distance from the central axis of the housing to selectively project IR light onto the exterior of the camera assembly via the front panel. One or more circuit boards, the one or more circuit boards being encapsulated within the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted on the one or more circuit boards. A wireless radio, configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server, and A heating element coupled to the image sensor is configured to maintain the temperature of the image sensor above a threshold temperature when the camera assembly is deployed in a smart home environment.

2. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes a circular body having a circular cross-section, and the central axis extending from the center of the front opening to the center of the rear portion of the circular body. The circular cross-section of the circular body has a radius that decreases from the front opening to the rear portion of the circular body, and the circular body is substantially symmetrical with respect to the central axis.

3. The camera assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: A base connected to the rear of the housing, the base including a support, a rod extending from the central region of the support, and a ball rigidly fixed to one end of the rod.

4. The camera assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The support portion of the base has a circular marking, the circular marking having a radius smaller than the radius of the circular cross-section of the front opening of the outer shell and a height smaller than the radius; The sphere has a diameter larger than the diameter of the rod; The rod extends from the support along the rod axis together with the ball into the rear portion of the housing, such that at least a portion of the rod and the ball are physically coupled to the rear portion of the housing; as well as The outer shell has at least two degrees of freedom relative to the sphere, the at least two degrees of freedom including a first degree of freedom for tilting the outer shell relative to the axis of the rod by an angle formed between the central axis of the outer shell and the axis of the rod, and a second degree of freedom for rotating the outer shell relative to the axis of the rod of the base.

5. The camera assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The support portion of the base includes a first arm and a release mechanism, the first arm and the release mechanism being connected to each other and detachably connecting the housing and the base to the mounting plate.

6. The camera assembly of claim 5, further comprising: The mounting plate has a front surface and a rear surface, wherein: The mounting plate has at least one protrusion that interlocks with the first arm of the base, and the release mechanism of the base causes the first arm to move to disengage the first arm from the at least one protrusion, thereby enabling the base to be detached from the mounting plate, and wherein, when the base is coupled to the mounting plate, the first arm and the at least one protrusion are hidden by the base and the mounting plate.

7. The camera assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The rear portion of the housing includes a bushing coupled at a position opposite to the front, and the bushing is arranged around at least a portion of the rod of the base, wherein the rod extends from the support along the rod axis into the rear portion of the housing.

8. The camera assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The bushing abuts against the support surface of the sphere of the base via one or more friction surfaces, thereby at least facilitating the rotation of the housing relative to the rod axis of the base according to a second degree of freedom.

9. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The heating element is attached to a sensor heat sink coupled to the image sensor, fixed to an image sensor plate associated with the image sensor, or arranged to be in direct contact with the image sensor.

10. The camera assembly of claim 1, further comprising: A temperature sensor thermally coupled to the image sensor; as well as A control circuit communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the heating element.

11. The camera assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of thermal insulation components separating one or more circuit boards and the wireless radio from the image sensor, the plurality of thermal insulation components comprising one or more plastic components and one or more air gaps.

12. The camera assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more electronic components, wherein the one or more electronic components include one or more of the following: System-on-a-Chip (SoC); Power conversion components; One or more antennas coupled to the one or more circuit boards; communication board; as well as Multiple thermally conductive components coupled to a subset of the one or more electronic components; The one or more antennas include at least two antennas coupled to the circuit board via an antenna loop, and the circuit board is coupled to the antenna loop to reduce interference between the antennas in the one or more antennas.

13. The camera assembly of claim 1, further comprising: One or more toroidal lenses.

14. The camera assembly according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein: The housing includes one or more microphone holes and one or more speaker holes arranged to pass through the front side, and The outer shell and the front further contain: One or more microphones, One or more speakers, wherein the one or more speaker holes are arranged to pass through the housing, and An illuminator assembly, connected to the rear of the front and including one or more visible light illuminators to generate light visible from the outside of the camera assembly.

Images