Underwater camera system

Abstract

The invention relates to a digital camera system including an image sensor and a lens system enclosed in a watertight housing. The camera system further comprises a filter arranged in an airflow path in the camera system.

Description

[0001] A DIG ITAL CAM E RA SYSTE M

[0002] TECH N ICAL FI ELD

[0003] The present application relates to a digital camera system and more specifically to an underwater camera system.

[0004] BACKG ROU N D

[0005] Digital cameras are extensively utilized today to capture both moving and still images, meeting the needs of various sectors such as surveillance, environmental monitoring, and industrial inspection, as well as for capturing underwater scenery, be it for scientific, recreational, or cinematic purposes. Security cameras, inspection cameras, and recreational recording devices are often subject to the demands of such environments. Underwater digital cameras are typically encased in sealed housings designed to withstand water pressure, ensuring the internal elements remain dry and functional. However, this construction poses a maintenance challenge since direct access to the internal mechanisms and electronics is essentially impossible during underwater deployment. This difficulty is magnified when cameras are required to function beneath the surface for prolonged durations, as is the case for surveillance and monitoring operations, resulting in increased operational costs and the need for innovative maintenance solutions.

[0006] From the above it is understood that there is room for improvements and the invention aims to solve or at least mitigate the above and other problems.

[0007] SU M MARY

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide means for decreasing the need for accessing the interior of watertight camera housing for maintenance or fixing of camera related issues. The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Additional features and advantages of the concepts disclosed herein are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the described technologies. The features and advantages of the concepts may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the described technologies will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed concepts as set forth herein. In particular a digital camera system, according to some embodiments of the invention, includes an image sensor and a lens system enclosed in a watertight housing, the camera system further comprises a filter arranged in an airflow path in the camera system. The arrangement of a filter in the airflow path in the camera system enables a reduction of freely moving particles in the camera and thereby reducing the risk of such particles interfering with the quality of captured images by sticking to the image sensor, to lens elements, and / or a view port like a dome.

[0009] In some embodiments the airflow path in the camera system is part of an air circulation path of the camera system. The inclusion of an airflow path as part of the camera system's air circulation path may aid in dissipating heat generated by the camera components, thus maintaining optimal operating temperatures and preventing thermal-induced performance degradation.

[0010] The airflow path can help to prevent the buildup of condensation within the camera system, which could otherwise lead to fogging of the lens or damage to sensitive electronic components. It also may direct particulate matter and / or aerosols caught in the air stream of the air circulation to the filter for removal from the air stream, thereby reducing the risk of particulate matter sticking to sensitive instruments in the camera system.

[0011] In some embodiments, the system further comprises an airflow path including the filter being an airflow path in which air is flowing into a sub volume of the camera system including the image sensor. By having the air flow path passing the filter before entering the sub volume including the image sensor, particulate matter will be removed from the air stream before reaching the image sensor. The specific design of the airflow path to direct air into a sub volume of the camera system that includes the image sensor ensures targeted cooling of electronic components, which is critical for maintaining image sensor performance and reducing noise in captured images.

[0012] By flowing air via heat sinks for electronic components such as LED-lights arranged for illuminating the scene captured by the camera, such as the image sensor, etc., the system can more effectively manage the thermal load, potentially allowing for longer continuous operation and reducing the risk of heat-related failures.

[0013] In some embodiments the digital camera system further comprises a fan arranged in the airflow path of the filter. The placement of a fan within the airflow path of the filter ensures active circulation of air and the direction of the air stream. The fan's role in facilitating airflow through the filter can also contribute to maintaining clean air within the camera system, thus reducing the likelihood of particulate matter accumulating on the image sensor or other critical components, which could affect image quality. In some embodiments the image sensor and the lens system are arranged in a camera block, the camera block arranged in a camera block holder, and the filter is arranged in an opening of the camera block holder.

[0014] In some embodiments a fan is arranged in the opening of the camera block holder and wherein the airflow path is directed by the fan through the filter into a sub volume of the camera system including the image sensor. Directing the airflow through the filter into the sub volume containing the image sensor ensures that dust and particulate matter are removed, maintaining the cleanliness of the optical path , e.g., the image sensor, the lenses and .

[0015] In some embodiments the system further comprises a sub volume being defined by a camera block holder.

[0016] In some embodiments the filter is arranged in the airflow path between the fan and the sub volume in the camera system including the image sensor. Arranging the filter in the airflow path between the fan and the sub volume ensures that the air entering the critical area around the image sensor is filtered, which is advantageous for maintaining image clarity and preventing sensor contamination.

[0017] In some embodiments the fan is arranged in the airflow path between the filter and the sub volume in the camera system including the image sensor. The inclusion of a fan in the airflow path enhances the circulation of air through the filter, ensuring that particulate matter is continuously removed from the air before it reaches the sub volume housing the image sensor, thereby maintaining a clean environment for the sensor and reducing the likelihood of image quality degradation due to dust accumulation.

[0018] In some embodiments the filter is a filter that removes, from the air passing through it, particles down to a diameter less than 3 micrometers. The capability of the filter to remove particles down to a diameter less than micrometers significantly reduces the presence of fine dust and other minute contaminants in the air, which can be particularly detrimental to the clarity and fidelity of the images captured by the sensor.

[0019] In some embodiments the filter is a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA filter). The use of a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter ensures that the air within the camera system is purified to a high standard, as HEPA filters are known to capture at least 99.97% of particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers, providing an extremely clean environment for the image sensor and other sensitive components.

[0020] Implementing a HEPA filter in the camera system can significantly reduce the frequency of maintenance required to clean the image sensor and other internal components, as the stringent filtration reduces the accumulation of dust and particulates that could necessitate cleaning, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs. BRI EF DESCRIPTION OF TH E DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to best describe the manner in which the above-described embodiments are implemented, as well as define other advantages and features of the disclosure, a more particular description is provided below and is illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, the examples will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective external view of a camera system according to some embodiments of the invention,

[0023] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a camera according to some embodiments of the invention,

[0024] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a camera block holder including a camera block of a camera system according to some embodiments of the invention, Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the camera block holder of Fig. 3.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a camera block of a camera system according to some embodiments of the invention,

[0026] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a fan and filter assembly of the camera system according to some embodiments of the invention

[0027] Further, in the figures like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures.

[0028] DETAI LED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, certain embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. The embodiments herein are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept, and that the claims be construed as encompassing all equivalents of the present inventive concept which are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. If nothing else is stated, different embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0030] Now referring to Fig. 1 and 2, a camera system 2 according to embodiments of the invention includes a housing 4 having a dome 6 of transparent material to allow the camera system 2 to capture images through it. The camera system 2 further comprises a camera block 8 being arranged in a camera block holder 10. The camera block holder 10 is arranged to structurally support the camera block 8 in the housing 4 and in relation to the dome 6 in order to enable capturing of images through the transparent dome 6. Additionally, the camera block holder 10 is integrated with a pan-tilt mechanism 12, allowing the camera's field of view to be adjusted dynamically. The configuration of the camera system 2 and its housing 4 is designed for underwater deployment, with the housing 4 constructed to remain both sealed and watertight, ensuring the camera system's 2 operational reliability. The housing 4 may have an IP 68 classification and in some embodiments being designed to withstand the water pressure down to 30 meters.

[0031] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the camera block holder 10 is equipped with a fan assembly 14 designed to control and direct an airflow into a specifically delineated sub volume 16, formed by the interior architecture of the camera block holder 10 itself. The camera block 8 is securely fitted within the camera block holder 10, utilizing a locking part 18 that engages into place, thus ensuring the camera block 8 remains firmly secured within the assembly during operation or movement. Further, the locking part 18 also carries LEDs 20 for illuminating the scene in front of the camera that is to be captured by the camera.

[0032] The camera block 8, as illustrated schematically in Fig. 5, incorporates an image sensor 50 for capturing photons directed through a lens system 52. Additionally, the camera block 8 comprises an image processor 54 responsible for processing captured image data, a processor 56 to manage camera operations, a focus motor 58 that adjusts lens position for image clarity, a zoom motor 60 to modify the focal length, and memory components including volatile memory 62 and non-volatile memory 64 to store program code and operational data, respectively. Furthermore, the block includes an l / O-interface 66 facilitating communication between the camera system and external devices. Volatile memory 62 may for instance be RAM (Random Access Memory), with types such as DRAM (Dynamic RAM) and SRAM (Static RAM), SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM), DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM), and Cache Memory, etc. Non-volatile memory 64 may for instance be ROM (Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), Flash Memory, and NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory), or similar.

[0033] The fan assembly 14, as illustrated in Fig. 6, of the camera system according to some embodiments includes a fan 80, a fan cover 82, a fan grid 84 and a filter 86 fixed in a path of the airflow generated by the fan 80 by the fan cover 82 and separated from the fan by the fan grid 84. The fan 80 may be any device that generate air flow in a specific direction. This specific fan assembly 14 should be seen as an example and the skilled person would appreciate a plurality of alternative ways to combine a fan with a filter.

[0034] The fan 80 is arranged to generate air circulation in the housing 4 and in particular an airflow path passing over a heat sink means connected to the LEDs 20, cooling the image sensor 50, and cooling other electronic components of the camera block for the purpose of not only cooling all the components of the camera block but also cooling the entire camera block. The air circulation in the housing also passes over the inner surface of the housing which is cooled by the surrounding environment. Cooling of the interior and surroundings of the camera block results in cooling of the image sensor 50 which decreases the risk of the image quality deteriorating due to the increased temperature in the image sensor 50. It is known that increased heat of an image sensor 50 increases the noise in the image produced by the image sensor 50. The air circulation also may cool other electronic devices in the camera system 2.

[0035] Now, once more, referring to Fig. 2 further depicting the camera system 2 and various air paths being part of the air circulation in the housing 4 of the camera system. An air path 100 is directed from the volume of the housing 2 surrounding the camera block holder 10 and the sub volume 16 through an opening 102 in the camera block holder 10. The filter 86 is arranged in the opening 102 for removing particulate matter from the air stream 100 before the air stream 100 enters the sub volume 16. The air stream then follows various paths in the camera block holder 10 and the camera block 8 cooling the image sensor 50 and other electronics in the camera block 8. The air stream is then leaving the sub volume 16 and passing into the volume of the housing 4 exterior to the camera block holder 10 and will travel via available paths throughout the housing 4 before the air circulation is completed by the air stream returning to air path 100, passing the filter 86 and entering the sub volume 16. In Fig. 2 some air paths 100, 104-112 of the air circulation is depicted and is illustrating that the air streams 104-112 after passing the filter 86 passes through the volume of the housing external to the camera block holder 10 and thereby get the opportunity to bring along dust, particulate matter, and small particles released from mechanical wear of the mechanical systems in operation, from dust trapped in the housing during sealing, from aging processes of material in the camera etc. Moreover, the material in the camera system may produce aerosols or gases, e.g. from oils, plastics, lubricants, and / or mechanical gaskets, that may have a negative effect on the camera system, e.g. some aerosols or gases may have a negative effect on the image sensor 50, on the lenses in the lens system 52, and / or the transparent dome 6. Further, the volume of the housing 4 may also experience problems with water and / or water vapor trapped during sealing of the housing or penetrating the sealing, at very low amounts, during extensive use under water. The gases and possible water molecules may also be brought along in the air stream in the camera.

[0036] Accordingly, by utilizing the controlled air stream originally designed for reducing the temperature of components in the camera system 2 and in particular the image sensor 50, to collect the particles and then capture the particles at the filter 86 will reduce the amount of particles that is moving around in the housing 2 which otherwise present a potential risk of sticking to the image sensor 50, any of the lenses in the lens system 52, or on the surface of the transparent dome 6, and thereby reducing the image quality delivered by the camera system 2. In addition, by arranging the filter 86 in an air path 100 guiding the air stream through the opening 102 in the camera block holder 10 into the sub volume 16, the risk of the air stream picking up particles before passing the image sensor 50 is reduced and thereby further reducing the risk of reduced image quality due to particles stuck on the image sensor 50, lenses of the lens system 52 or the transparent dome 6. Accordingly, the filter 86 may be a filter designed to remove, from the air stream passing through it, any one of or any combination of particulate matter, dust, particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers, gases, and water.

[0037] By reducing the risk of reduced image quality due to particles, gas residue, and / or water, sticking to the image sensor 50, lenses of the lens system 52 or the transparent dome 6, the time between maintenance may be extended. Further, the risk of pour image quality or other problems relating to the above described variants of matter being potentially airborne in the housing is reduced which is important when the camera system 2 is used under water where it is impossible to service the camera system 2 without bringing the camera system out of the water.

[0038] The filter may, for example, be any filter of protection level P3 according to standards EN 143:2000 + A1:2006, of protection F9 according to EN 779:2012, or a HEPA filter.

[0039] According to some embodiments the filter is a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter which ensures that the air within the camera system 2 is purified to a high standard, as HEPA filters are known to capture at least 99.97% of particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers, providing a clean environment for the image sensor and other sensitive components.

[0040] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. For example, the principles herein may be applied to any remotely controlled device. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the claimed invention.

Claims

8CLAI MS1. A digital camera system (2) including an image sensor (50) and a lens system (52), the digital camera system (2) being enclosed in a watertight housing (4), the camera system (2) being c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y : a filter (86) arranged in an airflow path (100) in the camera system (2), the filter being designed to remove particulate matter from an air stream (100) passing through it.

2. Digital camera system according to claim 1 , wherein the airflow path (100) in the camera system (2) is part of an air circulation path (100, 104, 106, 108, 110,112) of the camera system (2).

3. Digital camera system(2) according to any one of claims 1 - 2, wherein the airflow path (100) including the filter (86) is an airflow path (100) in which air is flowing into a sub volume (16) of the camera system (2) including the image sensor (50).

4. Digital camera system (2) according to any one of claims 1 - 3, further comprising a fan (80) arranged in the airflow path (100) in which the filter (86) is arranged.

5. Digital camera system (2) according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the image sensor (50) and the lens system (52) is arranged in a camera block (8), the camera block (8) arranged in a camera block holder (10), and the filter (86) is arranged in an opening (102) of the camera block holder(10).

6. Digital camera system (2) according to claim 5, wherein a fan (80) is arranged in the opening (102) of the camera block holder (10) and wherein the airflow path (100) is directed by the fan (80) through the filter (86) into a sub volume (16) of the camera system(2) including the image sensor (50).

7. Digital camera system (2) according to any one of claims 3 or 6, wherein the sub volume (16) is defined by a camera block holder (10).

8. Digital camera system according to any one of claim 6 or 7, wherein the filter (86) is arranged in the airflow path (100) between the fan (80) and the sub volume (16) in the camera system (2) including the image sensor (50).

9. Digital camera system (2) according to any one of claim 6 or 7, wherein the fan (80) is arranged in the airflow path (100) between the filter (86) and the sub volume (16) in the camera system (2) including the image sensor (50).

10. Digital camera system (2) according to any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the filter (86) is a filter that remove, from the air passing through it, particles down to a diameter less than 3 micrometers.

11. Digital camera system (2) according to claim 10, wherein the filter (86) is a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA filter).

Images