Camera arrangement

Abstract

Camera arrangement (2), - with a housing (4) which has at least one foot (6a), - with a camera (8) which has a viewing direction (12) and a viewing cone (14) directed in the viewing direction (12), - wherein the camera (8) is movable relative to the base (6a) such that the viewing direction (12) is changeable relative to the base (6a), wherein - the camera arrangement (2) includes a cover element (18), and - the camera (8) is movable relative to the base (6a) into at least one covering position (A) in which the viewing cone (14) of the camera (8) is directed towards the covering element (18), - the camera arrangement (2) includes a switching element (28) which, when actuated, moves the camera (8) motorically into or out of the covering position (A), characterized in that the switching element (28) is an acceleration sensor, touch sensor or proximity sensor accessible from the environment (30) of the camera arrangement (2) and is arranged on the housing (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a camera arrangement. State of the art

[0002] Cameras designed for indoor surveillance are widely known. One such camera is disclosed, for example, in US patent US 5,689,304 A.

[0003] The problem is that users within the camera's field of view often cannot tell whether the camera is recording or not. Therefore, the user has no information about whether their privacy might be compromised by the recording camera.

[0004] Publication US 2009 / 0009597A1, for example, suggests that surveillance cameras be configured to clearly indicate to people in the monitored area when they are actually transmitting data and when they are not. This can be achieved through a mechanical shutter that slides in front of the lens or by moving the camera away from the monitored area, and is intended to improve the sense of privacy and security for those being monitored.

[0005] Another camera system, which clearly indicates whether recording is in progress or not, is disclosed in DE 197 39 482 A1. When the camera is not recording, an aperture is positioned between the camera and the target area, preventing exposure of the light-sensitive area. In monitoring mode, the aperture between the camera and the target area is removed, allowing exposure of the light-sensitive area. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] Within the scope of the invention, a camera arrangement according to claim 1 is disclosed. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention, as well as other categories of invention, will become apparent from the further claims, the following description, and the accompanying figures.

[0007] The camera assembly includes a housing. The housing has at least one base. The base can be fixed to a surface. The surface is, for example, a piece of furniture, a wall or ceiling, a part of a building, etc. The position of the base is then fixed relative to the surface. The camera assembly includes a camera. The camera has a field of view. The field of view is directed in a specific direction. The field of view has an opening angle of at least 200°, in particular at least 160°, and in particular at least 120°. The camera is capable of capturing a scene from its surroundings in a camera image according to its field of view. The direction of view is a spatial direction in which the camera or its field of view is oriented, that is, the direction in which the camera captures images. The camera is movable relative to the base.The camera's mobility is designed so that the viewing direction relative to the base can be changed. This allows the camera to be moved relative to the base to alter its viewing direction within the room and thus change its field of view, enabling the camera to capture different areas of the room.

[0008] The camera assembly includes a cover element. The camera can be moved relative to the base into at least one cover position. In the cover position, the camera's field of view is directed at the cover element. In this position, the camera produces an image of the cover element, but no longer captures any other image of the camera's surroundings. Scenes from the camera's surroundings are therefore no longer included in the camera image. Specifically, the camera's field of view is completely focused on the cover element, so that the view of the camera's surroundings is entirely blocked by the cover element. Only the cover element is visible in the camera image. The camera assembly can also accommodate multiple cover positions into which the camera can be moved.

[0009] The invention is based on the following considerations and findings: Internet-enabled cameras, so-called webcams, which are connected to a PC, are fundamentally suitable for monitoring the interior of a home. In most cases, a camera is installed stationary with a fixed viewing angle. In the past, such cameras or video cameras have frequently been compromised by hackers, giving them video access to the camera and thus, for example, to the interior of a private living space as depicted by the camera. One way to protect the privacy of a camera user would be to fold a mechanically operated flap in front of the camera lens.

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of ​​enabling video surveillance within residential buildings using a camera, in particular a video camera. According to the invention, the camera arrangement or the camera itself has the capability of featuring a head that is rotatable, particularly automatically (with motion sensors and direction detection), and in particular retractable. On the one hand, this allows for a 360-degree view of the house or living space, particularly via remote control, for example, through an app on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. On the other hand, the retractable head indicates to the user when the camera is active or inactive. A user can access this camera from home or while traveling via smartphone.

[0011] A person in the vicinity of the camera is protected with regard to their privacy when the camera is in the cover position, as no images of the person or any other situation are captured by the camera, since it only records the cover element. Thus, privacy is protected regardless of whether the camera is actually recording in the cover position, i.e., capturing images, or not.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a head section. The head section is movable relative to the base section. The camera is located in the head section. The camera is movable together with the head section. In this embodiment, the head section is moved to move the camera or to guide it along with the head section. For example, the camera is movable together with the head section in a specific spatial direction, such as being rotatable about a rotational axis. According to this embodiment, a user of the camera can determine its current orientation from the outside by observing the orientation of the head section, particularly if the user is shown or knows how the camera is oriented within the head section.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the camera is rotatable about an axis of rotation. In particular, the camera is fully rotatable about the axis of rotation, meaning it can be rotated arbitrarily through 360 degrees about the axis. Specifically, the camera is rotatable by at least 300 degrees, and more specifically, by at least 240 degrees. This embodiment is particularly combined with the aforementioned opening angle of the viewing cone. The opening angle is considered in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation. This results in the following embodiment in particular: The camera head or the camera itself can rotate 240 degrees about the axis of rotation. The lens captures, i.e., the opening angle of the viewing cone is approximately 160 degrees. The combination of these two angles enables a 360-degree view around the axis of rotation, even though the head cannot rotate a full 360 degrees.The axis of rotation is chosen such that when the camera is rotated around this axis, the viewing direction also points in different directions. Therefore, by rotating the camera around this axis, different areas of space can be captured by the camera. The viewing direction is specifically perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, at least one rotational position of the camera about the axis of rotation corresponds to the covering position. Thus, when the camera is moved about the axis of rotation into the specific rotational position, the covering position is reached. In other words, the camera can be rotated about the axis of rotation into a position in which it is aligned with the covering element and only images this element.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the camera is axially movable along an offset axis. For embodiments in which the camera is rotatable about a rotation axis, the offset axis is also the rotation axis. At least one axial position of the camera when moving along the offset axis contains at least one of the cover positions. Particularly in the embodiment with the rotation axis, the camera can therefore be moved along the offset axis into at least one axial position in which at least one rotation position exists that corresponds to the cover position. Preferably, however, there is an axial position in which all rotation positions are cover positions. Every movement of the camera along the offset axis into the axial position then results in a cover position. This creates a camera arrangement in which the camera, or rather thethe camera head can be retracted into a housing part, especially the base, via a rotating and retracting mechanism.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the cover element is part of the base. In this embodiment, the camera is therefore movable relative to the base such that in at least one movement position the cover position is reached and in this cover position the camera is aligned with that part of the base which is the cover element.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the base has an upper edge beyond which the camera projects in a viewing position. The viewing position applies to any other orientation of the viewing direction. The camera can also be moved into a cover position. In the cover position, the camera looks below the edge at the cover element. The cover position applies to any other orientation of the viewing direction. For example, the base is cylindrical. If the camera projects beyond the upper edge of the cylinder, it is in the viewing position. For any rotation angle of the camera around the cylinder axis (viewing direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis), the camera has an unobstructed view over the edge. If the camera is retracted downwards into the cylinder, it is in the cover position. It looks below the edge at the inner wall of the cylinder. The relevant sections of the inner wall of the cylinder form the respective cover elements.For every rotation angle of the camera, the camera looks below the edge at the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the camera is at least partially manually movable. Alternatively or additionally, the camera is at least partially motor-driven. In particular, the camera can, for example, be manually moved into or out of the covering position. Alternatively or additionally, the camera can be motor-driven to any desired position in order to obtain a desired viewing direction of the surroundings or to image a desired part of the surroundings of the camera arrangement within the camera's field of view.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the camera has an output unit. The output unit is optical and / or acoustic. The output unit serves, in particular, to indicate that the camera is leaving the cover position. Alternatively or additionally, the output unit serves to indicate that the camera is outside the cover position. Alternatively or additionally, the output unit serves to indicate that the camera is moving into the cover position. Alternatively or additionally, the output unit serves to indicate that the camera is in the cover position. The output unit thus signals to a user of the camera whether the field of view is or is directed towards the cover position, and therefore whether the user's privacy is protected.An alternative or additional use for the acoustic output unit is the transmission of voice messages and / or an intercom function with a user who is, for example, traveling with their smartphone and / or for announcing system messages from the camera setup.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the camera arrangement includes a switching element. When the switching element is actuated, the camera is moved into or out of the covered position by a motor. Thus, the camera arrangement offers a user the ability to move the camera into the covered position, thereby protecting their privacy, or to move it out of the covered position to make it ready to record, by actuating the switching element.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the switching element is an accelerometer. Tapping the head or camera head extends or retracts it. Alternatively, the switching element is a touch sensor. The touch sensor is accessible from the area surrounding the camera assembly. Alternatively, the switching element is a proximity sensor. The touch sensor or proximity sensor is located on the housing. In embodiments where the housing has a head, the touch sensor or proximity sensor is specifically located on the head of the housing. The proximity sensor detects whether something, for example, a user's hand, is approaching the housing. This also allows the camera to be moved into the cover position.Alternatively, in the embodiments where the switching element is activated, the camera is also moved out of the covered position by a motor, i.e., moved into its recording-ready state, thus enabling room surveillance again. Here, too, the user is making a conscious action and is therefore aware that their privacy may no longer be guaranteed.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention, including combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments and, if applicable, previously unmentioned embodiments, are summarized as follows: The camera can have a 360-degree rotating camera head. The camera head can be, for example, the camera itself or the housing's head assembly together with the camera. The camera head can be adjusted to a desired position, i.e., a desired viewing direction, particularly with the help of a control device, especially a smartphone. The camera can then generate a live image according to its field of view. Positioning can also be automated, especially according to a predefined monitoring pattern or through the use of sensors (image sensors or PIR (passive infrared) sensors). The sensor(s) then align the camera to the desired position or viewing direction. With a predefined monitoring pattern, it is conceivable that a pre-programmed rotation sequence can be played back. Optionally, the camera can also function using infrared light at night.Optionally, the camera head can be retracted into the housing or base either manually on the camera itself or electrically via remote control. This allows users, such as residents of a house, to see that the camera is not recording because it is pointed towards the housing as a cover element.

[0023] Another possibility is to cause the camera head to retract by briefly touching the camera head (pressure or other sensor). This results in a so-called haptic control.

[0024] Such a haptic sensor can optionally detect when the pressure on the camera head is too great and emit a warning tone. Optionally, the camera can also be configured to emit a signal tone each time it extends from its housing, to indicate to anyone present that a surveillance mode has been activated, meaning that the camera is ready to record or is actually recording.

[0025] One possible camera configuration is that the camera head is not retractable, but the camera or a camera lens can be rotated until it comes to rest in front of a sign inside the housing, acting as a cover. In this case, too, it is clear to the user that the camera is deactivated in such a way that it could only capture images of the sign.

[0026] The camera can optionally be equipped with a motion detector for activation. It can also optionally include a microphone. Optionally, the camera can have LEDs to indicate surveillance mode, meaning that it is currently recording images or is ready to do so. Optionally, the camera can also have a speaker to announce activation via voice message or to transmit audio. Alternatively or additionally, this speaker can also be used for the aforementioned voice announcements, intercom function, and / or system messages from the camera setup.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the camera arrangement includes a tracking device, in particular at least two, and in particular three, motion sensors, each offset from one another by 120° in the circumferential direction of the camera arrangement. The tracking device serves to detect and locate movement in the vicinity of the camera arrangement and to align the camera's viewing direction with the direction of the localized movement. For example, three motion detectors are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees. Based on the signals from the motion detectors, an algorithm in the tracking device (not further described) determines the direction from which the movement originates or in which direction it is occurring. The camera head, i.e., the viewing direction, is then positioned in this direction. This can occur immediately or with a delay.

[0028] Further features, effects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying figures. These figures are shown in a schematic diagram: Fig. 1 a camera arrangement according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2. An alternative camera arrangement in different views, Fig. 3 the camera arrangement Fig. 2 in perspective views in an alternative embodiment.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows a camera arrangement 2. The camera arrangement 2 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 has a base 6a, which is fixedly mounted on a surface 7, here a living room cabinet. The camera arrangement 2 includes a camera 8, from which in Fig. 1. Only one lens 10 is visible, and the rest is only indicated by a dashed line. The camera 8 has a viewing direction 12. Furthermore, the camera 8 has a viewing cone 14, which is directed in the viewing direction 12. The viewing cone 14 is in Fig. 1 is represented only symbolically. The area of ​​the space surrounding the camera arrangement 2 that lies within the field of view 14 is depicted in camera images.

[0030] The housing 4 contains a head section 6b, which is also movable relative to the base section 6a. The camera 8 is located in the head section 6b and is movable together with it.

[0031] Camera 8 is movable relative to the base 6a, in this case rotatable in or against the direction of arrow 16 about the axis of rotation 20. Additionally, camera 8 is displaceable in or against the direction of arrow 22 along the offset axis 24. In this example, the axis of rotation 22 and the offset axis 24 coincide. These movements change the position of the viewing direction 12 in space and thus also the orientation of the viewing cone 14. In particular, the viewing direction 12 also changes relative to the base 6a. Camera 8 is fully rotatable, that is, 360 degrees around the axis of rotation 20. The viewing direction 12 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 20.

[0032] In the Fig. In the axial position shown in Figure 1, the camera 8 always looks beyond the upper edge 9 of the base 6a and has an unobstructed view of the surroundings 30. The camera 8 is therefore in a viewing position in which all rotation positions D are possible to generate camera images of the surroundings 30.

[0033] The camera arrangement 2 includes a cover element 18, which in this case is a part or section of the housing 4 or the base 6a. The camera 8 is, as shown in Fig. The camera 8, indicated by a dashed line (1), can be moved into several cover positions A together with the head section 6b. For this purpose, the camera is moved in the direction of arrow 22 to the axial position X and, if necessary, rotated in or against the direction of arrow 16. The camera 8 can also be moved from several rotation positions D at other axial positions to the axial position X.

[0034] In axial position X, the camera 8 is in a cover position. For all rotational positions D, the camera 8 looks below the edge 9 towards the interior of the base 6a. In the cover positions A, the viewing cone 14 of the camera 8 is always directed towards the cover element 18. In this case, all circumferential sections of the base 6a, which are indicated by dashed lines in the figure, form respective cover elements 18, depending on the rotational position D and thus cover position A in which the camera 8 is located at axial position X.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 1 shows examples of alternative viewing directions 12 for alternative cover positions A at different rotation angles D. In the axial position X, all possible rotation positions D correspond to cover positions A, since the camera 8, with its field of view 14, always looks at the base 6a and thus also at the cover element(s) 18. The axial position X therefore includes all cover positions A.

[0036] In this case, camera 8 can be manually operated in that it can be manually moved along the offset axis 24. Furthermore, camera 8 can be moved by motor in that it can be rotated about the axis of rotation 20.

[0037] Camera arrangement 2 contains one in Fig. 1. A symbolically indicated optical and acoustic output unit 26. In this case, it indicates that the camera 8 is moving out of cover position A by emitting an audible signal. It also indicates, via a light signal, that the camera 8 is outside cover position A. A user of the camera arrangement 2, who is not shown, is thus alerted by the audible signal that the camera 8 is moving out of cover position A and by a continuous light signal that the camera 8 is outside cover position A. In these indicated positions, the camera is at least theoretically ready to record, which may compromise the user's privacy.

[0038] Furthermore, in Fig. 1. It is already intuitive and easily recognizable for the user that the camera 8 is in cover position A, since only then is the head section 6b recessed in the foot section 6a. Thus, the user can easily see that privacy is maintained. Even a recording camera only provides images of the cover element 18.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the camera assembly 2 includes a switching element 28, in this case a proximity sensor, located on the top surface 32 of the head section 6b. The switching element 28 is therefore accessible from the surroundings 30 of the camera assembly 2. When a user (not shown) brings their hand near the top surface 32, this is detected by the proximity sensor in the form of the switching element 28, and the camera 8 is then retracted into the base section 6a by a motor along the offset axis 24 in the direction of arrow 22. Alternatively, the switching element 28 is a touch sensor, so that the user touches the top surface 32 from the surroundings 30 to retract the camera 8 accordingly. Approaching or touching also works in the opposite direction, i.e., to extend the camera 8 from the cover position A out of the base section 6a in the opposite direction to arrow 22.

[0040] Fig. Figure 2 shows an alternative camera arrangement 2 in different views, namely a) top view, b) left view, c) front view, d) right view, and e) rear view. The embodiment essentially corresponds to the Fig. 2 of those according to Fig. 1. The housing 4 has a slightly different shape. Furthermore, the output unit 26, in the form of a loudspeaker, is located in the lower inner area of ​​the base 6a. Fig. In Figure 2, only a surrounding speaker grille of the output unit 26 is visible. Additionally, the camera assembly 2 has a light 34, in this case an infrared LED, to enable night vision with the camera 8. Furthermore, the camera assembly 2 has a microphone 36, which allows the recording of sounds, noises, etc. in the vicinity 30 of the camera assembly 2 and thus their transmission to a remote location not shown.

[0041] In Fig. A slot 38 for an SD card is also shown. Camera assembly 2 is powered via a power supply connection 40. Network connectivity for camera assembly 2 is provided via WiFi (not shown).

[0042] The camera arrangement 2 also includes a tracking device 42. In this example, the tracking device contains three motion sensors 44, which are arranged circumferentially around the camera arrangement 2 at 120-degree intervals with respect to the axis of rotation 20 and the offset axis 24, respectively. The tracking device 42 serves to locate movement, e.g., of a person or animal, in the vicinity 30 of the camera arrangement 2 and to align the viewing direction 12 of the camera 8 in the direction of the localized movement. Further components of the tracking device 42, for example, a processing unit and a control unit for the motorized adjustment of the camera 8 about the axis of rotation 20, are shown in Fig. 2 not shown.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows the camera arrangement 2 from Fig. 2 again in perspective views, namely a) diagonally from above from a direction from the front right and b) diagonally from above from a direction from the rear left. Fig. Figure 3 also shows an alternative embodiment of the housing 4. Here, the cover element 18 is a shield 44 that projects beyond the other edge 9 of the base 6a in a circumferential section. The shield 44 is an integral part of the base 6a, but can alternatively be an add-on part. The camera 8 then does not need to be moved to the axial position X, but can remain in the axial position shown to move into a cover position A. It only needs to be moved into the correct rotation position D (dashed line) so that its viewing direction 12 is facing the cover element 18 in cover position A.

Claims

[1] Camera arrangement (2), - with a housing (4) which has at least one foot (6a), - with a camera (8) which has a viewing direction (12) and a viewing cone (14) directed in the viewing direction (12), - wherein the camera (8) is movable relative to the base (6a) such that the viewing direction (12) is changeable relative to the base (6a), wherein - the camera arrangement (2) includes a cover element (18), and - the camera (8) is movable relative to the base (6a) into at least one covering position (A) in which the viewing cone (14) of the camera (8) is directed towards the covering element (18), - the camera arrangement (2) includes a switching element (28) which, when activated, moves the camera (8) into or out of the covering position (A) by motor, characterized by, that the switching element (28) is an accelerometer, touch sensor or proximity sensor accessible from the environment (30) of the camera arrangement (2) and is arranged on the housing (4). [2] Camera arrangement (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that - the housing (4) contains a head section (6b) which is movable relative to the foot section (6a), and - the camera (8) is located in the head section (6b) and is movable together with it. [3] Camera arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera (8) is rotatable, in particular completely, in particular by at least 300°, in particular by at least 240°, about an axis of rotation (20), so that the viewing direction (12), in particular perpendicular to the axis of rotation (20), points in different spatial directions. [4] Camera arrangement (2) according to claim 3, characterized by, that at least one rotation position (D) of the camera (8) about the axis of rotation (20) corresponds to one of the covering positions (A). [5] Camera arrangement (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera (8) is axially movable along an offset axis (24), which in particular, if present, is the rotation axis (20), and has at least one axial position (X) and at least one of the cover positions (A). [6] Camera arrangement (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cover element (18) is part of the foot part (6a). [7] Camera arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera (8) is at least partially manually and / or at least partially motor-operated. [8] Camera arrangement (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the camera (8) has an optical and / or acoustic output unit (26) which serves in particular to indicate that the camera (8) is leaving and / or entering the cover position (A) and / or is outside and / or in the cover position (A). [9] Camera arrangement (2) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the switching element (28) is arranged on the head part (6b) of the housing (4). [10] Camera arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera arrangement (2) includes a locating device (42), in particular at least two, in particular three, in particular motion sensors (44) offset from each other by 120°, which serves to locate a movement in the environment (30) of the camera arrangement (2) and to align the viewing direction (12) of the camera (8) in the direction of the localized movement.

Images