Single-Piece Camera Cover Element for IR Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security cameras face challenges in maintaining a single unit with IR illumination, leading to image washout or blank images due to stray IR light, and lack a single-piece cover element for aesthetic and waterproofing purposes.
Innovation Solution
A camera assembly with a single-piece cover element that includes IR transparent sections for the image sensor, IR opaque sections for the illuminators, and semi-transparent sections for ambient light sensors, along with an IR reflector to direct illumination uniformly across the field of view, preventing stray light from entering the image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate elements are used to cover the camera and IR illuminators, then waterproofing and sealing become easier, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover glass for the camera and the cover for the IR illuminators into a single integrated cover element. This merging eliminates the need for separate waterproof seals between multiple components while maintaining aesthetic appearance and reducing assembly complexity.
2Shape
If a single-piece cover element is used, then aesthetic appearance and waterproofing improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece cover element incorporates different optical properties in different regions: the first region is transparent to visible light for the camera, while the second region is opaque to visible light but transparent to IR light for the illuminators. This local differentiation of optical properties allows the single element to serve multiple functions with precise regional characteristics.
3Use of energy by moving object
If IR transparent material is used for the cover, then IR illumination effectiveness improves, but stray light enters the image sensor causing image washout
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is segmented into two distinct functional regions: a first region that is transparent to visible light for the image sensor, and a second region that is opaque to visible light but transparent to IR light for the illuminators. This segmentation prevents IR light from washing out the image while maintaining effective IR illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The opaque portion of the cover element acts as an intermediary barrier that blocks visible light paths from the IR illuminators to the image sensor, while still allowing IR light to pass through to illuminate the scene effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances image quality, maintains a streamlined aesthetic, improves waterproofing, and provides effective IR illumination without image distortion, addressing the issues of stray light and multi-piece assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the single-piece cover element blocks light from the one or more IR illuminators from entering the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
A camera assembly with a single-piece cover element that includes IR transparent sections for the image sensor
Implementation Method 3
along with an IR reflector to direct illumination uniformly across the field of view
Data Source
AI summary
A camera assembly includes an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene, an infrared (IR) illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene, and a single-piece cover element positioned in front of the image sensor and the IR illuminator such that light from the IR illuminator is directed through the cover element along a first light path and light from the scene passes through the cover element along a second light path prior to entering the image sensor, the cover element including a first portion between the first light path and the second light path, the first portion being substantially opaque to IR and/or visible light.