SECURITY CAMERA DEVICE

Abstract

SECURITY CAMERA DEVICE A security camera device (10) for outdoor use, comprising: a housing (12) having a first end (22), a second end (24), and a generally cylindrical elongated portion (26) between the first and second ends, the first end (22) being generally rounded (e.g., dome-shaped) and the second end (24) being generally flat; a camera contained within the housing, a lens (36) of the camera positioned on the elongated portion (26) toward the second end (24) of the housing, an outer protector (40) configured to fit over the second end (24) of the housing without covering the lens, the protector including a top portion (42) sized to fit over the second end (24) of the housing, and a rim (44) projecting from the top portion to shade the lens of the camera from rain and / or direct sunlight.Figure to be published for the abstract: FIG. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: SECURITY CAMERA DEVICE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a security camera device, especially but not exclusively for outdoor use.

[0002] The aesthetic design of a security camera plays an important role in customer satisfaction, especially at home, but also for small businesses. Security cameras often have one or more sensors in addition to a visible camera lens. It remains a technical challenge to design a camera for outdoor use that can be as aesthetically elegant as an indoor camera, while also being suitable for an outdoor environment.

[0003] Overall, the description presents a security camera device comprising:

[0004] -a housing having a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion between the first and second ends, the first end being generally rounded (e.g., dome-shaped), and the second end being generally flat (generally in contrast to the first end),

[0005] -a camera contained in the housing, a lens of the camera positioned on the elongated portion towards the second end of the housing,

[0006] -an external protector configured to fit over the second end of the housing without covering the lens, the protector including an upper portion sized to fit over the second end of the housing, and a flange projecting from the upper portion to provide protection for the camera lens.

[0007] The device may include any one or a combination of the following features: a. the rim may extend from one end of the upper portion. b. the external protector can be configured to provide protection against sun and / or rain. c. the external protector may include silicone. d. the upper portion may be designed to have an exact fit on the second end of the housing. e. the upper portion may be designed to allow the external protector to be removably attached to the housing at the second end. f. the external protector may be configured to fit over the second end without covering the first end of the housing. g. the outer protector and the housing may include mutually adjusting profiles to align the orientation of the protector relative to the housing, possibly such that the flange portion overhangs the camera lens. h. the elongated portion of the housing may comprise a generally cylindrical shape, (ii) i. the elongated portion of the housing may include a groove or indentation toward the second end. Optionally, the bottom of the groove or indentation is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing. j. the device may further comprise at least one element selected from: (i) an electronic circuit for the camera unit; (ii) an electronic circuit for wireless communication; (iii) a detector, optionally an infrared detector or a radar detector; (iv) an audio transducer, optionally a speaker, a siren and / or a microphone; (v) a battery compartment for receiving a battery; (vi) a battery. k. the device can be configured for outdoor use.

[0008] In various embodiments, the outer protector may provide protection to shield the camera lens from rain and / or direct sunlight, when the device is intended for outdoor use. At the same time, the outer protector need not significantly compromise the pleasing aesthetics and streamlined shape of the device, thereby promoting customer satisfaction. The device may optionally be used without the outer protector. The pleasing aesthetics and streamlined shape of the device also allow for indoor use (optionally without the outer protector).

[0009] A non-restrictive embodiment is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a security camera device, illustrating a housing without an external protector.

[0011] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view showing the camera device of safety of [Fig.l] equipped with an external protector.

[0012] [Fig.3] is a schematic side view of the device of [Fig.2]

[0013] [Fig.4] is a schematic front view of the device of [Fig.2].

[0014] Referring to the drawings, a security camera device 10 is illustrated. The device 10 is particularly suitable for use outdoors, in the home and / or on the premises of a small business.

[0015] The device 10 comprises a housing 12 containing a camera unit (one lens of which is illustrated by 36), an electronic circuit, and possibly a battery or a battery compartment for removably receiving a battery or battery pack. The housing 10 may optionally include an openable portion 20 ([Fig.l]) to facilitate access to the battery or battery compartment.

[0016] As best seen in [Fig.l], the housing 12 includes a first end 22, a second end 24, and an elongated portion 26 between the ends 22 and 24. The elongated portion 26 may be generally cylindrical in shape. The elongated portion 26 need not be strictly cylindrical. The present example includes an indentation and / or groove 28, defined by inclined surfaces 30 and 32 defining a V-shaped or C-shaped depression or indentation. The bottom of the indentation / groove 28 is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device 10.

[0017] The first end 22 is generally rounded in shape, for example dome-shaped. The second end 24 is generally flat and, for example, generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of the device 10.

[0018] In use, the device 10 is intended to be used in a generally vertical orientation, with the first end 22 facing downward and the second end facing upward. The device 10 optionally further comprises a wall mounting portion 34 ([Fig. 3]), for example a wall mounting bracket. The wall mounting portion 34 may be integrated with the housing or constitute a separate component to which the housing 12 is attached and / or may be attached.

[0019] The housing 12 carries a lens 36 belonging to or intended for the camera unit. The lens 36 is positioned towards the second end 24 of the housing. In the present example, the lens 36 is positioned at the groove 28, for example on one of the inclined surfaces 30 or 32. The position of the lens 36 may have a generally downwardly inclined or at least partially downwardly directed field of view, allowing the device 10 to be adapted for installation in an elevated position.

[0020] Referring to Figs. 2-4, the device 10 further comprises an outer protector 40, especially for use when the device 10 is intended for outdoor use. The outer protector 40 is configured to fit over the second end 24 of the housing 12, without covering the lens 36. The outer protector 40 includes an upper portion 42 sized to fit over the second end 24 of the housing 12, and a flange (or ledge) portion 44 projecting from the upper portion 42. The flange portion 44 provides at least some additional protection for the lens 36, for example to shield the lens 36 from rain and / or direct sunlight.

[0021] The rim portion 44 may extend from a lower end of the upper portion 42, for example like the rim of a hat. The rim portion 44 may partially curve around the housing 12, for example in a direction circumferential, and / or the flange portion 44 may partially curve in a longitudinal direction relative to the housing. The flange portion 44 may have an arcuate and / or partially lunar profile, for example, that increases in size and / or height toward its center. The upper portion 42 may have a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the second end 24 of the housing 12, such as a generally cylindrical housing shape, to optionally provide an exact fit or a press fit on the second end 24.

[0022] The upper portion 42 and the rim portion 44 may be formed integrally as a single piece. The outer protector 40 may be at least partially flexible, or it may be generally rigid. The outer protector 40 may be made of any suitable waterproof material, for example, plastic or silicone. The housing 12 may itself be generally waterproof, and / or a (possibly additional) seal may be provided by the outer protector 40.

[0023] The housing 12 and the outer protector 40 may include mutually adjusting profiles to align the orientation of the protector 40 relative to the housing 12. For example, the protector 40 is aligned with the flange portion 44 extending to overhang the position of the camera lens 36. In the illustrated example, the housing 12 includes a protrusion, for example a rib, near the second end 24 that mutually fits with a corresponding element 48 ([Fig. 3]) of the outer protector 40.

[0024] The device 10 may further optionally comprise at least one detector, for example, a radar detector or an infrared detector (e.g., a passive infrared (PIR) detector). Additionally or alternatively, the device 10 may comprise at least one audio transducer, for example, an audio transmitter (e.g., a siren or a speaker) and / or an audio receiver (e.g., a microphone). The detector and transducer may optionally be positioned at or toward the first end 22 of the housing 12. In the present example, a detector window or lens 50 for the detector is integrated into the first end 22 of the housing. The window / lens 50 is illustrated as being slightly recessed relative to the surface of the housing 12. This recess may help protect against rain and / or promote moisture drainage from the surface of the window / lens 50.Also in the present example, an acoustically permeable grid portion 52 for the audio transducer is positioned toward the first end 22, e.g., near the window / lens 50.

[0025] The protector 40 may provide protection to protect, in particular, the lens 36 from rain and / or sunlight, when the device 10 is intended to be used outdoors. The protector 40 does not significantly compromise the pleasing and clean-shape aesthetics of the device 10. In certain embodiments embodiment, the external protector 40 may optionally be removable and / or adjustable to the housing 12, to allow the device to adapt to its environment. If the device 10 is to be used outdoors in an exposed position, the protector 40 may be adjusted to protect the lens 36 from rain and / or sunlight, as described above. If the device 10 is to be used outdoors in an unexposed position, the device may optionally be used with or without the protector 40. The same device 10 may also be used indoors, for example, without the protector 40.

[0026] It should be emphasized that the foregoing description is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment and does not limit the scope of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or principles of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A security camera device (10) comprising: -a housing (12) having a first end (22), a second end (24), and an elongated portion (26) between the first and second ends, the first end (22) being generally rounded, and the second end (24) being generally flat; -a camera contained within the housing, a lens (36) of the camera positioned on the elongated portion (26) toward the second end (24) of the housing; -an outer protector (40) configured to fit over the second end (24) of the housing without covering the lens, the protector comprising a top portion (42) sized to fit over the second end (24) of the housing, and a flange (44) projecting from the top portion to provide protection for the lens of the camera.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the flange (44) extends from one end of the upper portion.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer protector (i) is configured to provide protection against at least one selected from sun and rain, and / or (ii) comprises silicone.

4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upper portion (42) is adapted (i) to have an exact fit on the second end of the housing, and / or (ii) to allow the outer protector to be removably attachable to the housing (12) at the second end.

5. The device of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the outer protector is configured to fit over the second end without covering the first end (22) of the housing (12).

6. The device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the outer protector and the housing (12) comprise mutually adjusting profiles to align the orientation of the protector relative to the housing (12), possibly such that the flange portion (44) overhangs the camera lens.

7. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate portion (26) of the housing (12) comprises at least one of: (i) a generally cylindrical shape, (ii) a groove or an indentation toward the second end, optionally wherein the bottom of the groove or indentation is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing (12).

8. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises at least one selected from: (i) an electronic circuit for the camera unit; (ii) an electronic circuit for wireless communication; (iii) a detector, optionally an infrared detector or a radar detector; (iv) an audio transducer, optionally a speaker, a siren and / or a microphone; (v) a battery compartment for receiving a battery; (vi) a battery.

9. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first end is generally dome-shaped.

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